The protesters continued down “Martyrs of Nation” boulevard to protest the tourism project in Zvërnec area, current policies on protected areas and the strategic investment law. Holding placards and calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama, they reiterated their demands to dismantle the “old political caste.”

Speaking from the podium in front of the Prime Minister’s Office, lecturer Lush Susaj called upon Albanians from all walks of life to participate in the protest en masse.

“I call upon every Albanian to join the protest; I remind you of the saying: ‘being’ is a value—just as being present at this protest is a value. As the son of a farmer and a university teacher of agricultural technologies, I appeal to the rural population: join this protest, for you constitute the largest and most oppressed segment of society. You, the farmers of Albania, must realize that countries in the region and across the world have been receiving subsidies since March,” Susaj emphasized.

Meanwhile, activist Sidorela Vatnikaj stated: “Today, as the country has been in an uproar for a week over a state scandal—with the head of the State Intelligence Service (SHISH) caught passing classified information to the very person commanding gangs and organized crime—the President of the Republic has convened the Security Council. He is the same man who remained silent not only throughout these four months of protests, but also during these years of governance and theft. Today, he attempted to portray this scandal as merely a personal matter.”

The protest movement, which began on May 31, has put forward a broad set of demands. These range from reversing legislative amendments on protected areas and canceling the “Mountain Package” to broader political calls for the removal of the country’s ruling political class.

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