Analyst Ergys Mërtiri commented on the show "News24 "Weekend" in News24 the protests held in Tirana, which are being held in opposition to several projects that citizens consider questionable, including construction in the Zvërnec area.
Mertiri described the protests as "fantastic," emphasizing that they show that the civic response in Albania is still alive and strong. According to him, dissatisfaction with the political class has reached such a level that citizens are no longer guided by political interests or who wins the elections, but by the need to express their indignation.
He said that this situation gives citizens more power to directly influence decision-making, emphasizing that the lack of a strong opposition has increased, according to him, the feeling of arrogance in government. Mërtiri also said that the international media is showing interest in these protests, which, unlike other cases, are not only related to general dissatisfaction, but to the opposition to a specific project with wide impact. He said that Rama is losing the thread and that he arrogantly made a blunder when he reacted and said that it was about 500 people. Among other things, Mërtiri added that no government can survive when there is a large crowd of citizens in front of it.
According to him, this situation also affects the image of Albania, as it shows that citizens do not accept oppression or authoritarian forms of government. He harshly criticized the government, describing it as irresponsible and citing, according to him, problems related to corruption and criminality, while adding that the protests show the existence of a “democratic spirit” in society.
"It is a fantastic protest, which shows that the spirit of reaction of Albanians 'has not died'. The indignation and dissatisfaction of the political class has already reached such a point that citizens no longer ask who wins, but stand up and express their indignation. This gives the citizen the power to decide for himself his own fate. This government has reached a deep level of arrogance, since there is no strong opposition in front of it. International media are interested in the fact that unlike other protests, this one does not only have dissatisfaction. Citizens have risen up against a project that has Trump's son-in-law behind it. This has broad global interest. This has improved the image of Albanians, as it shows that they do not accept oppression, autocracy. Rama's government is irresponsible, where there is trafficking and an increase in crime, but the protest shows that there is a spirit of democracy. This is not a sleeping people, but one that knows how to react. This protest has brightened our face everywhere in the world, in the face of a policy that has produced tension, corruption and Molotov cocktails. This is good news that helps Albanians everywhere in the world,” he said.
