TIRANA, June 12 /ATA/ On the thirteenth day of the Zvërnec development protests, citizens and activists gathered in Skanderbeg Square before marching down the boulevard to the Premier’s Office
Their slogans and banners demanded the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama, the ouster of Sali Berisha from opposition leadership, thorough investigations into politicians’ wealth and a firm halt to the sale of national assets.
Putting nature first, the protests also served as a platform for wider societal demands. Marching along the boulevard, demonstrators raised their voices in unison, calling for a “New Albania” and chanting slogans like, “Albania belongs to Albanians, not traitors”, and “Without youth, there is no Albania”.
Speaking from a dedicated protest podium, the coordination group urged citizens to demand the Prime Minister’s resignation together, noting the irony of his presence just steps away in “Italia” Square for the Socialist Party’s 35th anniversary.
Highlighting the crisis of youth emigration and rapid skyscraper development, a protester called on the global diaspora to rally alongside locals to demand change.
Addressing the crowd, the coordination group representative urged a boycott of all paid media, while expressing solidarity with the independent journalists covering the demonstration. “They are one of us,” she emphasized. She further asserted that government workers who attended the meeting with Rama secretly oppose the administration and feel coerced, ultimately calling on them to join the protests.
Another protester criticized the justice system for deep-seated corruption but expressed strong public confidence in SPAK to investigate politicians who have misused taxpayer money.
As standard speeches proceeded outside the premier’s office, a confrontation broke out at a nearby intersection when a young man began insulting the protesters. Organizers urged the crowd to retreat and ignore provocations.
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