Molotov cocktails, clashes with police and demands for a caretaker government: What happened during the opposition protest (VIDEO)
2026-01-24 20:40:13AktualitetSHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX
The national protest called by the Democratic Party this Saturday, which was accompanied by numerous tensions, has ended.
The protest began with the national anthem. Several democrats took the floor, which was then followed by a statement by the leader of the Democratic Party, Sali Berisha.
Initially, Berisha had a message for all citizens.
"Honorable leaders of the DP, allied parties, honorable deputies present at this protest. Brothers and sisters, I will begin this speech with a message, that this week, terrified by our last protest, the government media did everything to put it into oblivion. My message is this. Today we are in the last kilometer, with God's help, nothing will stop us towards our victory. Today we are close to the great triumph. To many, the triumph may still seem far away, when you see the crossroads at which Albania is. But my friends, the opposition that we have made together in recent years has not been easy. A marathon ordeal filled with the violence of the narco-state, Orwellian pressures and isolations against us but also a stoic resistance. Painful sacrifices towards us", said Berisha.
During his speech to the protesters, Berisha stated that dictatorships do not end with votes, but with revolts.
"Today, most Albanians are clear that Edi Rama did not leave with a vote, dictatorships do not leave with a vote, but they leave, they collapse, with revolt and only with popular revolt, and here we are today," said the chief democrat.
He repeated the accusations against the government of Prime Minister Edi Rama, saying that "today the majority of Albanians are clear that Edi Rama heads the most dangerous criminal organization in Europe."
This speech followed the leader's request for a caretaker government.
"Tonight is the great call, it is our time to unite to overthrow this government. To create a technical government, for new elections, for the national interest, for the Albanian family...", said Berisha, adding that this is the only solution for free and fair elections.
Immediately after Berisha's speech, protesters threw Molotov cocktails and fireworks towards the Prime Minister's Office building, which caused tensions and their removal was carried out by water cannons and tear gas from the police.
The Molotov cocktails also injured several protesters and several officers who received first aid, but no serious injuries were reported.
The protest then moved from the Prime Minister's Office to the Parliament of the Republic of Albania.
Meanwhile, in connection with these incidents, several protesters have been escorted, for whom the DP demanded their immediate release.
Sali Berisha declared from the headquarters that the protest achieved its goal.
"Completely. The battle with the dictatorship is not a football match, no. Don't take it that way. The battle with the dictatorship is a continuous resistance. It is an unceasing battle. It is a battle that the undefeated opposition, those who make the impossible, possible, will win ," he said.
Regarding the protest of the race, Berisha responded:
"We will announce the next protest and its variants. But we are now on the battlefield and we absolutely will not stop until he is overthrown."
