In a social media statement, Berisha praised protesters who have demonstrated against Prime Minister Edi Rama for more than 80 days, saying their courage and sacrifice should inspire Albanians.

“I call on Democrats in Tirana and across Albania to turn September, through their participation in the civic protest, into the month of the decisive blow against this anti-Albanian regime and to move as one nation towards free and fair elections,” he said.

Berisha said Albania should emulate what he described as Kosovo’s repeated success in holding elections.

“Let September be the month in which we finally break away from this dictatorship,” he said.

He rejected claims that the Democratic Party was seeking to divide or take over the protests, saying the party had strongly supported them since June 3.

Asked whether he would join the protests, Berisha said he would not do so as long as they retained their civic character, arguing that his presence could be seen as an attempt to politicise the movement.

/m.m/ /a.g/u.sh/