Activist and member of the British Chamber, Silvana Xhaferri Hoxha, has commented on the massive protests that have been taking place in the country for 100 days, as citizens demand the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama and the government. Invited to News24Hoxha described the protest as an extraordinary civic movement, where different groups of society have joined together, from young people and activists for the protection of nature, to mothers with children and professionals.
"This is an extraordinary protest. There are activists from all walks of life, from youth, environmental activists, mothers with children. Everyone brings their suggestions. These people have been so tired, because they had so many problems," she said. According to Hoxha, the way citizens are reacting constitutes a clear form of civil disobedience, while the government's approach towards the protesters and the opposition has contributed to the escalation of discontent. "The people reflect this civil disobedience, even the government's approach towards Albanians and the opposition. The whole of the things that have happened has changed. We have the change of the SP towards the protest," the activist said.
Speaking about Rama's governance, Hoxha stated that one of the main promises that brought support for him at the beginning was the building of the state and the strengthening of the administration, but according to her this was not fulfilled. "Rama failed to build a state. This was one of the things that got votes when he ran. The administration that had been built was also destroyed a little. Rama reacts with irony and is ruining everything," she said.
Hoxha also criticized the way MPs are communicating with citizens, calling their presence in electoral zones essential. "The principle that MPs go to their zones and listen to the people, this is something elementary. So, this is a farce, open hypocrisy," she declared.
The activist said that the protest is another opportunity for citizens to express their dissatisfaction with political representatives in the areas where they vote.
"For those of us who are protesting, it is possible that citizens, who do not have the opportunity to throw eggs at their MPs in the Assembly, can do so in their own area," said Hoxha.
She emphasized that she feels a "double obligation" to support young people and the protest, also referring to the support that her parents' generation gave to young people during the '90s.
"I feel a double obligation, because our parents supported us in the '90s. I have a double obligation, so we must support the youth," she said. Hoxha also claimed that intellectuals and professionals who have shown up to protest have faced pressure, threats or even dismissals.
"Intellectuals, professionals, if they are seen in the square, have received threats and have been fired from their jobs," the activist declared. According to her, the protest is not being held for personal interests, but for the construction of a functional state. "We are protesting for the state, so that we have a proper state. These problems are not personal, but are due to the protest," said Hoxha, adding that the pressure on the protesters, according to her, only further strengthens the movement.
In the end, Hoxha said that the protesters are waiting for the resignation of the prime minister and the government, while emphasizing that, if a different result is sought, the protest cannot be expected to follow the same form indefinitely. “We are waiting for the resignation of the prime minister, the government. To achieve this, you cannot expect the same result. This protest is not violent. Being non-violent, it is civil disobedience. One of the forms, besides the physical presence and pressure on MPs, politicians and businessmen, civil disobedience will have to go to the next phase,” she concluded.
