TIRANA, Oct 30 /ATA/ Democratic Party leader Sali Berisha has called on citizens to join a protest tomorrow at 12:00 in support of the student movement that has been taking place in Tirana for several days.
Speaking from the party’s headquarters, Berisha urged DP members, supporters and citizens from across the country to take part, emphasising that students deserved the full backing of Albanian society.
Berisha praised the determination and courage of students, high school pupils and citizens who have joined the protests.
He said the students had shown exceptional bravery throughout their days-long demonstrations, adding that they had brought the “narco-state” to its knees on several occasions.
According to Berisha, protesters have been subjected to violent tactics during the demonstrations.
The DP leader insisted that the student protest was not driven by any other motives, but was instead a revolt against corruption, electoral fraud and the political protection of individuals implicated in corruption scandals.
“Tomorrow will be a test of conscience for every Albanian citizen and every resident of this country. Through their protest, students are demanding the right to remain in their homeland. They want to fulfil their greatest youthful dreams in Albania and for Albania, building a future for themselves and their families. Everyone standing with the students, everyone in Tirana – that must be our motto tomorrow,” he said.
Asked about the Democratic Party’s participation in the upcoming local elections, as President Bajram Begaj has begun consultations on setting the election date, Berisha said the DP would not boycott the elections.
Berisha said the Democratic Party had repeatedly described Albania as an authoritarian dictatorship and the world’s only narco-state, arguing that genuine elections had been replaced by a sham process. Nevertheless, he stressed that the DP was determined to use every opportunity and all available means within the system to fight what he called the major threat facing the Albanian people.
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