TIRANA, Oct. 15 /ATA/ – Main opposition Democratic Party leader Sali Berisha on Thursday called on high school students across Albania to boycott classes in solidarity with university students protesting against the government in Tirana, while demanding the immediate resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama.
Speaking at a news conference, Berisha described the student demonstrations as a liberating revolt for Albania and condemned what he said was violence against protesters.
“Students across Albania are taking part in the strongest student protest the country has ever seen. Tens of thousands of high school students have joined them, demanding Rama’s immediate departure and resignation. He has set fire to the dreams of more than 47% of Albanians who were forced to leave the country because of poverty and deprivation. He has crushed the hopes of a nation that wants to see its country succeed,” Berisha said.
He urged teachers, university lecturers, businesses, doctors and nurses to join the students, saying indifference to the protests was the worst possible choice.
“I call on all pupils and high school students across Albania to boycott classes and stay away from school to save their most cherished dreams and protect their future. I call on teachers and university lecturers to stand with their pupils and students and remember that the first lesson, the foremost principle of their mission, is that they must stand by them under all circumstances,” Berisha said.
Berisha also accused Rama of abuse of power, corruption and impoverishing Albanians, saying the demand for his resignation was an ultimatum.
He also warned that attempts to intimidate students and pupils would not go unpunished.
Asked about Rama’s statement to Reuters that he would not step down and about the risk of destabilisation, Berisha said the prime minister had lost his battles and warned him against using the police as “cannon fodder”.
Berisha concluded by calling on “State Police officers not involved in crime or drug-related activities to resign” and urging police across the country not to intervene against student protesters.
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