Speaking at a meeting of the DP parliamentary group, Berisha thanked lawmakers, party members, students and supporters who took part in recent protests and condemned what he described as police violence against demonstrators. He said none of those subjected to violence had engaged in violent acts.

Referring to protests held in early June, dubbed the “Flamingo Revolution,” Berisha said the main opposition party had refrained from trying to take control of the demonstrations or divide them, in respect for their civic character.

He accused Prime Minister Edi Rama and former Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku of influencing the protests, saying organisers controlling the microphone had allowed only speakers using the slogan “Rama in prison, Berisha in prison” to address demonstrators.

“From June until today, the most anti-Albanian and anti-democratic argument has been that the two parties are the same,” Berisha said, arguing that such comparisons served to shield the government from accountability for corruption and the misuse of public funds.

He rejected comparisons between the government and the opposition, accusing those making them of seeking to obscure scandals and undermine public confidence in the ballot box.

“They want to kill hope. They are the killers of hope. They are hunters of Albanians’ hopes,” Berisha said, in a forceful attack on those he accused of seeking to discredit the opposition.

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The student protest is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. outside the Ministry of Education before moving to the prime minister’s office.

University lecturers are also expected to gather near the Polytechnic University at 10 a.m. The University Employees’ Union (SPUSH) has previously voiced support for the students and their ongoing protests.

Separately, the main opposition Democratic Party has called on its activists and party forums to gather outside the prime minister’s office at noon for a nationwide protest in support of students and young people.

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In a social media post, Koçiu described the protests as part of the same scenario, accusing their organisers of seeking to obstruct Albania’s future through violence.

“The same scenario. The same violence. The same hand. Under the guise of ‘causes’ that change according to the problems of the day, the goal remains the same old one: hijacking Albania’s future,” Koçiu wrote.

She said Albanians had seen through the scenario, understood the game and rejected it with maturity and through their vote.

“They rejected it yesterday, they reject it today and they will reject it again whenever the past tries to return through violence,” she said.

“Albania will not go backwards,” Koçiu wrote.

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Balla confirmed that the reform would proceed to a debate and vote today. However, he urged the opposition to collaborate on creating a special commission tasked with defining the competencies of the newly proposed local government units. According to Balla, the restructuring will ensure higher-quality public services across 46 new municipalities, with the central government prepared to decentralize powers that are currently underutilized.

Further on, Balla directly addressed claims made by Democratic Party Chairman Sali Berisha concerning the leak of intimate videos, unauthorized recording and distribution of intimate videos involving a distinguished Albanian composer. Balla also responded to the opposition’s demand for a Parliamentary debate over the investigation into former SHISH Director Vlora Hyseni.

Strongly condemning the dissemination of intimate materials, Balla emphasized that women and girls must be protected and supported, urging strict legal penalties for those responsible for the leaks.

Regarding the opposition’s request for a motion with debate, Balla noted that the information cited stems from an ongoing investigation by the Special Prosecution Office (SPAK). He remarked, “I am pleased that, when it suits your political interests, you choose to rely on SPAK’s case files.”

Balla emphasized the majority’s full support for the judicial institution, stating they expect SPAK to independently investigate and resolve the matter without political interference. He noted that the justice reform permanently ended the era of politicians judging themselves, establishing that criminal cases belong solely in the hands of judicial bodies.

Furthermore, Balla stressed that investigations must proceed independently regardless of an individual’s social status or political office and that the Assembly should not use Parliamentary oversight to usurp the powers of the judiciary.

Following the debate, the Democratic Party’s (DP) request for a motion was rejected, with 76 votes against and 37 in favor.

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Speaking at today’s Parliamentary session, Balla addressed the developments in Kosovo and the relations between the two countries, remarking that this situation is nothing new.

“It is never a coincidence—from Rambouillet to the present day—that whenever Kosovo faces difficulties and needs Albania, Berisha calls for an attack against Albania’s democratic institutions,” Balla stated.

He urged the opposition not to repeat the scenarios of 2019, when the Democratic Party boycotted the Parliament and the elections, warning that such decisions undermine the country’s democratic functioning.

Balla also stated that at a time when Kosovo needs Albania’s support, Albanian politics must speak with a unified voice.

“Do not forget that today, more than ever, Kosovo needs support from Albania; it needs a unified voice,” he said. In his remarks, the head of the Socialist Parliamentary group also addressed the administrative-territorial reform, electoral reform and the European integration process, calling on the opposition to cooperate in fulfilling Albania’s commitments on its path toward the European Union.

Balla stated that the Electoral Reform Commission has a deadline until the end of November to complete its work, emphasizing that the reform must be carried out with the opposition’s participation, but without allowing the integration process to be blocked. /p.s./

Speaking to reporters, Berisha said the figures were based on about 20 hours and six minutes of monitored television content. Of that total, around 13 hours and 52 minutes was devoted to Rama and government representatives, he said.

Berisha accused the broadcasters of giving disproportionate coverage to the government while limiting exposure for the Democratic Party and opposition protests.

According to his figures, the main opposition party received 24.8% of the monitored coverage, while opposition and citizen protests accounted for about 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Berisha said coverage of the protests had been minimised compared with the airtime given to the government and its officials.

He described the situation as “media slavery” and accused the government of exercising control over the country’s national broadcasters.

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The PDK-led action took place at the entrance to the government building, with lawmakers calling on acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti to go to parliament and allow the constitution of the legislature to proceed.

The PDK has been holding the protest outside the government building for several days, opposing Kurti’s continued caretaker mandate and calling for state institutions to become fully operational.

Kosovo’s parliament has still not completed its formal constitution, preventing the country from moving ahead with the formation of a new government.

The protest is the latest in several days of opposition action as pressure grows for a political breakthrough.

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In a statement, the Socialist parliamentary group said its lawmakers and members of the European Parliament backed the recommendations, while accusing DP legislators of voting against them.

The Socialists said they had not submitted amendments to the draft text prepared by the committee’s secretariat because it already incorporated two key documents: the European Parliament’s resolution on Albania and a consensus resolution adopted by Albania’s parliament on the country’s EU accession process.

The ruling party said several amendments proposed by DP were nevertheless supported by Socialist lawmakers, while others were rejected because, it said, they omitted references to progress identified in the European Commission’s assessment of Albania and developments in the country’s accession negotiations.

The Socialist Party said it remained committed to supporting initiatives that advance Albania’s EU membership process “on the basis of facts, standards and concrete results.”

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Rama recalled unimaginable moments from the history of Albanian society when, according to him, “They were told that we won freedom, but not democracy”.

“Those who took it upon themselves to represent the opposition with a system on paper that was democratic faced violence, brutality and constant humiliation. They faced massive vote-rigging, with direct danger to life”, said Rama.

He highlighted how difficult it is to imagine today that the SP once survived opposition in the dark, without social media. On state television, the SP was allowed mere seconds of airtime, which was immediately drowned out by the channel’s hostile and critical remarks.

As the sole voice of the opposition, the newspaper Koha Jonë served as a mirror for a free society. Yet, it was ultimately reduced to ashes by those who preached freedom, their hypocrisy laid bare as they dragged journalists into the streets and locked them behind bars, said Rama.

Meanwhile, Rama stressed that the SP has never established such a clear public presence or a definitive posture toward its opponents. /j.p/p.s./

Speaking at a conference organized by the Democratic League of Albanian Women and Sweden’s Jarl Hjalmarson Foundation on EU enlargement, NATO and regional security, Berisha said the European integration process should be strictly merit-based and grounded in democratic standards and the rule of law.

“Integration into the European Union is the Democratic Party’s top priority,” Berisha said. “Only a merit-based process can guarantee citizens fundamental freedoms and rights, an independent judiciary, a functioning market economy and the implementation of the EU acquis.”

Berisha described the current moment as a critical one for Albania, citing international assessments that have raised concerns over the country’s democratic standards and electoral processes.

Referring to the EU’s Interim Benchmark Assessment Report (IBAR), he argued that the report had undergone substantial amendments due to issues related to corruption, justice reform and the government’s handling of judicial investigations.

Despite his criticism of the government, Berisha reiterated the opposition’s support for Albania’s EU path, stressing that European integration remains the most effective framework for ensuring long-term stability and development in the Western Balkans.

“The region has extraordinary potential and resources,” he said. “There is no better path for addressing the challenges of the Western Balkans than European integration.”

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