Unlike political protests, which over time lose participants and credibility due to disappointment with their leadership, civic protests are showing a completely different dynamic. The scenes that Tirana offers these days have not been seen for more than 3 decades, since the early 90s when epochal political changes took place in Albania and Eastern Europe, with the overthrow of the communist regime.
Support for these beautiful and enthusiastic protests continues to grow, as people continue to join the rallies even after they have been underway for several hours.
The images from the square in front of the Prime Minister's Office show that, as the hours pass, the number of citizens not only does not decrease, but increases. The message being conveyed is clear, the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama and his cabinet ministers is demanded. Dissatisfaction with the 13 years of governance which, according to the protesters, have not fulfilled expectations and promises have not been kept, quite the opposite of the commitments. This dissatisfaction extends to the entire political factor, with a demand for change.
At the center of the calls remains the demand for the removal of Prime Minister Edi Rama. For many protesters, after 13 years in power, political responsibility for immigration, economic difficulties, wages and pensions that are not increasing, while support for social classes is lacking, and the lack of trust in institutions has a clear address, Rama's government.
"Edi Rama must go"! "Rama must go"! The government must resign" are the messages heard more and more often in the square, while the civic protest continues to gather supporters and gain ground even as the revolt has entered its seventh day.
