FLASH
Shkruar nga Pamfleti
The national protest called by the Democratic Party continues on the "Martyrs of the Nation" boulevard, in front of the Prime Minister's Office, with large citizen participation and the presence of public figures who are giving more weight and political symbolism to the rally. Under strict security measures, citizens are expressing their dissatisfaction with the government and demanding the resignation of Edi Rama and Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku.
In addition to the usual protesters, figures representing strong voices in public and political life are also present in the square. Actor Florjan Binaj, known for his critical stances towards the government and for his civic engagement in defense of public issues, was seen among the crowd, giving a clear message of solidarity and civic mobilization against injustice.
Another important presence is that of MP Ervin Salianji, who has recently undertaken an internal movement within the DP, demanding party reform and a more open approach to society. Alongside him has appeared Ilir Vrenozi, one of the most well-known and vocal figures of the right-wing base, who enjoys widespread support due to his unwavering opposition positions.
The protest is taking place without incident so far, with 1,350 State Police officers on the ground. Organizers emphasize that the protest is not simply a symbolic act, but a first step towards a new political confrontation, within and outside the opposition.
A national protest by the Democratic Party has begun a few minutes ago.
With banners in their hands, the Democrats have chosen expressions that reflect their demands while also listing the scandals of the "Rama" government.
However, one protester has chosen to convey the messages differently.
Dressed in a completely white outfit, he has left the attention to the inscriptions on it.
"Brother, democracy in danger. Let's save it," it says on the back of the T-shirt. On his pants, he writes: "Down with dictatorship," separating the two words on each leg. On his head, he wears a turban with a black scarf.
Today's Opposition protest was opened by a speech by the Deputy Leader of the Democratic Party, Luciano Boçi, who declared that tonight they have not gathered simply for a parade, but to send a message to the corrupt government of Edi Rama.
Boçi stressed that Albania can no longer be governed by Edi Rama, who, according to him, has turned the state into a private property. While listing the successive affairs of the government, Boçi said that they will see their duty through to the end.
" We are here because we value life, we have been called by the love of family and the worship of God and the nation. We are here because our dignity, resistance, opposition spirit and heart and civic conscience have called us. We are here out of our courage and duty to fight until the end. Because our Albania can no longer tolerate the fact that it is led by a man who has turned the state into private property and criminal gangs, into a closed club of fun and partying and who mocks the fate of Albanians every day.
"This building you have next to you is not the prime minister's office, but the power broker. We must demolish this power, it is not the place of government, but of theft, of the beast that bites the money and wealth of Albanians. Here theft has names and figures, incinerators 430 million, concessions 500 million and billions are spinning in the way of roads, tunnels, rings and airports. It has a name, it starts with Beqaj, Bllako, continues with Veliaj and Beneti and Balluk, Agas and Tërmet. It does not end with AKSHI or Smart City ," he said.
The DP's national protest in front of the Prime Minister's Office has begun.
With banners in their hands, the Democrats have chosen expressions that reflect their demands while also listing the scandals of the "Rama" government.
"Ask where EU funds go", "Edi stop stealing our Money", "Who do we call when the police take us hostage?", "Gone: 1.1 million euros years: 12 years" , said some of the banners.
The images from the “Martyrs of the Nation” boulevard speak for themselves: a sea of people has gathered in front of the Prime Minister’s Office in the national protest called by the Democratic Party. Hundreds of thousands of citizens from Tirana and the surrounding areas have responded to Sali Berisha’s call to take to the streets and demand the resignation of the Rama government, in what the opposition calls “civic retribution against a government gripped by corruption and crime.”
At the center of the opposition's accusations is Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku, who has already been indicted by the justice system for serious corruption cases. However, Balluku continues to be politically protected by Edi Rama and remains in office, while, according to the opposition, evidence from investigations is being destroyed and procedures are being manipulated. "A government that protects defendants no longer has the right to govern for a single day," Berisha declared in his speech to the crowd.
The atmosphere on the boulevard is charged; calls against Rama, banners demanding justice and a protest that is taking on the largest proportions in recent years. The police are on standby with 1350 officers deployed around the perimeter of the Prime Minister's Office. So far, the protest is taking place without incident, but the tension is noticeable.
A few moments ago, the leader of the Democratic Party, Sali Berisha, left the blue headquarters and joined the protesters in the square.
The Democratic Party's national protest has officially begun on the "Dëshmorët e Kombit" boulevard, in front of the Prime Minister's Office. The crowd of opposition supporters has grown significantly in the last minutes, while just moments ago, the leader of the Democratic Party, Sali Berisha, left the blue headquarters and joined the protesters in the square. He was greeted with cheers and flags in his hands, as he held the main slogan of the protest: "Rama ik!"
The rally is the first for 2026 and comes after the last protest on December 22. The opposition is demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama and Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku, as well as the establishment of a caretaker government that will organize free and fair elections. Berisha has called this day a “civil trial against the chief thief,” calling on the people to rise up against, according to him, “a corrupt and crime-linked regime.”
A dense police cordon has been set up in front of the Prime Minister's Office. 1,350 State Police, FNSH and Eagles officers have been mobilized. The forces are equipped with gas masks and water cannons have been placed on standby in case of any escalation of the situation. The police have asked citizens to avoid any acts of violence and to distance themselves from individuals who may provoke incidents.
The warning of the risk of unrest has also come from the US Embassy in Tirana, which has urged American citizens to avoid the area between Skanderbeg Square and Mother Teresa Square. “Even protests that start peacefully can escalate unexpectedly,” the official statement said.
Opposition leader Sali Berisha has left the Democratic Party headquarters and, together with supporters who were waiting for him outside, has headed towards the Prime Minister's Office. As in every other national protest, Berisha, together with his supporters, walked the route from the Democratic Party headquarters to the Prime Minister's Office building.
Upon Berisha's arrival, the opposition's speeches will begin, culminating in Berisha's speech. Meanwhile, due to reports of violence at this rally, a large number of police forces have been activated to manage the protest.
Police forces have created a security cordon in front of and around the Prime Minister's Office, while the doors and windows of the building were previously armored.
The protest is expected to start any moment...
The gathering of Democratic Party militants has begun on the “Dëshmorët e Kombit” boulevard, in front of the Prime Minister’s Office, while only a few minutes separate us from the official start of the protest called by Sali Berisha. This is the first national protest for 2026 and marks a return of the opposition to the streets with clear demands: the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama and his deputy Belinda Balluku, as well as the creation of a caretaker government that will prepare early elections.
The police have already set up the first cordon in front of the government building, with officers positioned in a single line. A total of 1,350 police forces have been mobilized, including units of the National Police, the Eagles and water cannons, equipped with gas masks. Intervention in the event of incidents is also planned, while the police have called on citizens to distance themselves from any act that violates public order.
The call for protest comes after the recent December 22 rally and weekly opposition rallies in front of the Prime Minister’s Office. Sali Berisha has called this a “people’s trial of the chief thief of Albania” and said it is the day to restore hope and freedom. “The opposition people will raise their voices against a government linked to bandits, traffickers and murderers,” he declared.
Meanwhile, the US Embassy in Tirana has warned its citizens to avoid the protest area and to be vigilant, raising the alarm for the possibility of unrest. It was emphasized that even protests that start peacefully can escalate unexpectedly. Embassy personnel have been asked to avoid the area between Skanderbeg Square and Mother Teresa Square for the duration of the rally.
Shortly before the start of the national protest called by the Democratic Party, Sali Berisha arrived at the blue headquarters.
He was enthusiastically welcomed there by hundreds of sympathizers expressing their support for the expected protest.
The opposition has organized a national protest in front of the prime minister's office today, demanding the resignation of Edi Rama.
Për sa kohë PPD është tarafi i Salehut, asgjë nuk do të ndryshojë. Fatkeqësisht!