The protest against the government enters its 98th day today, with citizens expected to gather again in Tirana to continue their action and demand the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama.
The daily resistance is now approaching another important moment. Monday marks 100 days since the protests began, and a larger mobilization has been announced from the square, with calls for citizens from all over Albania to join the rally in the capital.
The 97th day brought some developments. Friday's protest began in the morning in front of the Criminal Court, where citizens gathered in support of the protesters arrested after the September 1 tensions in front of the Prime Minister's Office.
The court ruled to release 14 arrested protesters. The decision was welcomed as a victory by activists, who declared that the bans would not stop the protest and that the action would continue.
In the evening, citizens gathered again at Skanderbeg Square and then marched towards the Prime Minister's Office. "Rama resigns" and "Arrest Rama" were among the chants that accompanied the march, while protesters held banners with messages against the government and in support of those arrested in recent days.
After the speeches in front of the Prime Minister's Office, the protest did not end there. Citizens continued to march along the boulevard and streets of the capital, reiterating the demand for Rama's removal and warning of the continuation of the protests.
The speeches also focused on what is expected to happen on Monday. Activists have called for a massive turnout on the 100th day, while a siege of the Prime Minister's Office has been announced. In addition to Rama's resignation, the protest has also articulated a demand for the government to resign and the creation of a caretaker government.
Protesters have also signaled that the action will move to Parliament when the parliamentary session resumes. The Assembly returns on Tuesday, September 8, just one day after the 100th protest, heralding a start to a week of high political tension.
