TIRANA, Feb 10 /ATA/ – Democratic Party (DP) leader Sali Berisha described Albania’s political situation as the most critical in the past 35 years during a speech at the party’s third nationwide protest in front of the Prime Minister’s office in Tirana on Tuesday evening.
Drawing parallels between the current government and the former communist regime, Berisha warned that history must not be forgotten and said the country is facing consequences even more severe than in the past.
“Perhaps we are gathered in our peaceful uprising at the most critical moment in Albania in the last 35 years. Those who forget the past are condemned to repeat it. Here we are, a sea of fighters, brave men and women determined to defend Albania,” he said, invoking the country’s natural wealth and referencing the atrocities of Enver Hoxha’s dictatorship, including killings, persecution, executions, concentration camps, and the infamous secret police.
Berisha added that the last 13 years have brought consequences that, in his view, continue to erode the daily existence of Albanians.
He reiterated claims that the May 11 elections were a sham, citing international resolutions to support his position.
“We have every document proving the May 11 elections were a farce. We called it a ‘narco-state’ because it is one. There are seven resolutions from major parties in Europe and worldwide agreeing with this fact,” he said.
Berisha also criticized the Constitutional Court’s decision regarding Belinda Balluku, alleging executive interference and pressure on the judiciary.
Addressing protesters, he thanked them for their previous demonstrations, which he said sent a clear message both domestically and internationally. “Your revolt in the last protest sent a clear signal inside and outside the country that we will never tolerate a coup,” he said, adding that any new attempt at a coup would fail.
Berisha concluded by emphasizing February’s symbolic significance for the opposition and protesters. “February is the month when we overthrew the dictator. February is the month when we will liberate Albania. Your revolt today is the voice of civic conscience, of citizen dignity, and of national awareness,” he said.
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