Berisha changes his mind about the protests: We support this powerful movement, I have not asked the Democrats not to participate in the protest

2026-06-08 15:34:29Politikë SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX

The Chairman of the Democratic Party, Sali Berisha, has reacted through a public statement regarding the debates created around the opposition's stance on the civic protest against the project in Zvërnec, emphasizing that the DP fully supports the protesters and the five demands presented by them.

In his reaction, Berisha emphasizes that the Democratic Party has condemned from the beginning, according to him, the violence against the protesters in Zvërnec, as well as the way the government treated them.

"The Democratic Party has declared from the beginning that it condemns with the greatest force the violence and kidnapping of peaceful protesters in Zvërnec, the epithets used by Edi Rama towards them, and the surrounding of the village with barbed wire, as in times of occupation," Berisha writes.

He explains that the protest was not organized by the DP, but underlines that the political force he leads respects the right of citizens to protest and has never asked its members or supporters not to participate in rallies.

According to Berisha, the Democratic Party supports the removal of Prime Minister Edi Rama's government and considers the protesters' demands for the repeal of a series of laws related to strategic investments, Public-Private Partnerships, the Mountain Package, the environment and cultural heritage to be fair.

"The Democratic Party strongly supports the removal of the illegal and narco-dictatorial regime of Edi Rama," he said in the statement.

Berisha argues that the opposition has opposed these laws for years in Parliament and other institutions, adding that support for the protesters' demands is in line with positions previously held by the DP.

In the statement, the leader of the Democrats also touches on environmental issues, listing a number of projects that, according to him, have been opposed by the opposition, including developments in Butrint, Shebenik, Dajt, the Drini Valley and the Vlora Airport.

At the same time, Berisha emphasizes that the Democratic Party is not against foreign investments in Albania, but demands that they be carried out in accordance with local legislation and international standards.

"The Democratic Party is not and will never be against foreign investments in Albania. It has welcomed and will welcome them with the sole and non-negotiable condition that they be made in full compliance with the country's and international laws," the reaction states.

In conclusion, Berisha considers the government's lack of transparency regarding the Zvërnec project as the main cause of the protests and calls on Prime Minister Rama to abandon what he considers divisive language towards the protesters.

"The Democratic Party fully supports the five just demands of the representatives of the powerful youth and civic movement and asks Edi Rama to abandon the threats, arrogance, contempt and labeling of the protesters," Berisha declared, demanding the resignation of the prime minister and the creation of a caretaker government to organize free and fair elections.


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