
The leader of the Democratic Party, Sali Berisha, today addressed protesters gathered in front of the Prime Minister's Office, where he accused Prime Minister Edi Rama and former Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku of corruption and state capture. He described the protest square as "Freedom Square", the place where, according to him, Albanians are rising up against a "gang steeped in crime".
"This is the square of the brave who are driving out of the palaces of power a gang steeped in crime and theft, among the most serious in the history of this nation," Berisha declared.
Berisha spoke of a deep political and institutional crisis, which he described as "one of the most unimaginable", accusing Rama of being "the biggest thief in the history of Albanians".
According to him, the investigations against Belinda Balluku and the accusations of economic damage of 50 million euros have directly exposed the prime minister.
"It took an accusation based on official documents for the theft of 50 million euros from Balluku for Edi Rama to say in front of Albanians 'I am the thief' and that he is showing his elbow to justice. This has never happened," said Berisha, adding that in any democratic country a prime minister would resign immediately.
Berisha said that Rama “cannot fire Balluku” because, according to him, “the theft was committed on his orders and the money was shared.” He added that this is “only a small part” of the common affairs between them.
Following the speech, he accused Rama of having been in a "disgusting dispute" for two days, openly coming to Balluku's defense.
"He says: I am defending the minister, not Lubi Balluku, I am defending the prime minister, not Edvini. But you are both thieves," Berisha declared to the crowd.
He added that Rama's behavior towards the Constitutional Court is, according to him, "proof that he is the main thief in this affair."