Albania protests enter 85th day demanding Edi Rama's resignation

Protests in Albania have entered their 85th consecutive day, with demonstrators in Tirana demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama. The movement is calling for the establishment of a 12-month non-partisan transitional government to oversee electoral reforms and ensure free elections.

Key demands from the protesters include the repeal of the 2008 constitutional amendments, the annulment of laws regarding strategic investors and protected areas, and the repeal of the “Mountain Package.” Participants have criticized the current administration over issues of corruption, economic inequality, and the privatization of public spaces.

Professional groups have also joined the dissent. A petition signed by 212 architects, urbanists, and engineers has denounced the current urban development model, questioning the decision-making processes and the lack of democratic planning. Former Foreign Minister Ditmir Bushati noted that the massive scale of these protests reflects a deep-seated social dissatisfaction stemming from decades of perceived predatory capitalism and unequal economic opportunities.