Thousands of citizens participated in the ninth day of the civic protest against the project in Zvërnec and against the political class. The turnout was greater than in previous days. Protesters from various cities in Albania, as well as Albanians from other lands, joined the rally that started at Skanderbeg Square and continued with a march towards the Prime Minister's Office building.
Among the banners, national flags and numerous chants, the slogans “Rama resigns”, “Rama in prison, Berisha in prison”, “The homeland is ours”, “Down with the political caste” and “Don’t be divided! Down with the patronageists” dominated. The protesters targeted both the government and the opposition, calling the political parties part of the same political class that has dominated the country for the last 35 years.
At the start of the protest, there was an incident after the young people of the Democratic Party (DP) demanded that no slogans be issued against Sali Berisha, and clashed with the MP of the Joint Movement, Redi Muçi. But the crowd of citizens responded with the slogan: "Sold out opposition."
In this way, the organizers of the protest in front of the Prime Minister's Office have declared that there will no longer be random speeches on the raised podium, but only five personalities who will be selected from the initiating group will speak.
According to them, these representatives will come from various fields, such as science, education and other sectors of society.
The National Anthem and the patriotic song "Xhamadani Vija-Vija" were played at the protest, while participants waved national flags and marched along the boulevard.
Meanwhile, DP MPs and supporters were also spotted in the square. Among them was MP Eorida Tabaku, who joined the protesters in a rally where one of the main messages remained the rejection of the entire political class.
The protest, which began as opposition to the project in Zvërnec, is increasingly taking on a political character, with demands that go beyond the issue of investment and focus on governance, corruption, and a change in the political elite.
Monday's rally also attracted international attention, being broadcast live by Reuters.
The protesters declared that the protests will continue in the coming days, insisting that they will not retreat until their demands are heard.