In a statement posted on X, the centre-right political grouping said any allegations of excessive, unlawful or disproportionate use of force must be investigated promptly, thoroughly and independently, adding that law enforcement authorities must always act proportionately.

“Albania’s future lies in a democratic, prosperous, and European path, with an accountable government, the rule of law, fight of corruption and a future of opportunity at home. Any unlawful violence and attacks from all sides, especially against property and personal integrity, have no place in a democracy as the current tensions have to be addressed through dialogue, de-escalation and democratic engagement,” the EPP stated.

The main centre-right group also stressed that the voice of young people must be heard and their right to peacefully protests protected.

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“Those who held the capital hostage by importing ANTIFA terror here, playing other people’s game in the name of students and placing themselves at the head of student protests with their faces covered should know that they will be held accountable,” Rama said.

“They will face legal and criminal consequences, in proportion to the severity of the violations committed and the scale of this profound misunderstanding,” the government head added.

Rama said the “profound misunderstanding” lay in believing that an entire nation, community or ordinary families trying to get to work could be intimidated or coerced through “the language of stones and fire.”

He said the episode would serve as an important lesson for anyone who believed such actions could change Albania’s course.

“Albania’s course will not change. Albania will continue on its path and carry to its long-awaited destination the flag of Ismail Qemali and Skanderbeg. Albania will become part of the European Union, and those involved in this major disorder will not be able to prevent it,” Rama said.

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“The protest is about much more than the issue itself. It’s not just about the flamingos. It’s much more than that. It is a signal that the country has reached another level, that development has become the norm and that people are no longer willing to tolerate what is lacking,” PM Rama said.

He said Albanians were becoming increasingly less willing to accept shortcomings, as rising expectations accompany improving living standards.

“People are becoming less and less tolerant of what is missing. That’s why they want more. They want it now. And we cannot blame them for that. This is the price we pay for our success. In my view, these protests are an expression of rising expectations, and we have to respond to them,” he added.

Rama argued that higher living standards lie at the heart of such protests.

“Whatever people call them, and however harsh the criticism may be, the underlying reason is that people are living better. And because they are living better, they expect much more. Poor societies tend to have a very high tolerance for what they lack. Developed societies, and those moving in that direction, have a much lower threshold for what they consider acceptable. People want what is still missing,” he said.

The government head said the shift also reflects a broader change in public mindset.

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Addressing a meeting of the DP parliamentary group, Berisha said he had presented what he described as the “real situation” in Albania, claiming that tens of thousands of citizens had mobilised against the government.

According to Berisha, protesters are calling for Prime Minister Edi Rama’s resignation and the repeal of laws they consider incompatible with Albania’s constitution and European environmental and cultural heritage standards.

“I strongly denounced Edi Rama’s irresponsible attitude toward the protesters, as well as the threats, insults and labels directed at what I consider the strongest youth and civic protest movement the country has seen,” Berisha said.

He said he had urged EPP leaders and participants to use their influence to help resolve what he described as a deep political crisis through peaceful means, including Rama’s resignation and the formation of a technical government to prepare new elections in the country.

Berisha also called for international support for the demonstrators, arguing that their demands were legitimate and should be addressed through political dialogue rather than force.

He noted that the protests had not been organised by DP but said the opposition fully supported them because it considered their demands justified.

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