An unusual scene unfolded outside the Prime Minister’s Office at the start of the protest, after several chairs placed there for “dialogue” were knocked down by protesters. What the government presented as an invitation to talk was met on the ground with rejection and accusations over the way protesters are being treated.
Chairs and letters for “dialogue” outside the government building
In the early hours of the day, several chairs were placed outside the Prime Minister’s Office, each with a letter left on it bearing the message “dialogue.” The move came from Prime Minister Edi Rama at a time when the protest had already been announced and political tension was already present.
The gesture was interpreted by the government as an invitation to communicate, but developments on the ground showed that protesters did not accept this formula as a real solution.
Protesters tear up the letters and knock down the chairs
As the protest began, students marched in front of the Prime Minister’s Office and tore up the letters placed on the chairs. The chairs were then knocked over amid chants and expressions of dissatisfaction over the way the government is handling the situation.
Footage from the scene showed that the symbolism of “dialogue” did not reduce tensions, but instead turned into a point of political and public confrontation.
Confrontation with the director of MIA
During the protest, there was also a verbal confrontation with Manjola Hasa, director of the Media and Information Agency. She said she was there to convey the request of those students who would like to speak with the prime minister.
According to the version presented by the government representative, the prime minister has maintained the same position and remains open to dialogue with anyone who wants to talk.
Accusations from protesters over police violence
On the other hand, protesters rejected this approach and made direct accusations over the way, according to them, police are acting toward students. One of them demanded answers from the government representative about violence against students without identification, casting doubt on the sincerity of the calls for dialogue.
This clash made even clearer the gap between the official message and the mistrust expressed in the street by participants in the protest.
In developments related to the protests, there have also been reports of detentions and criminal proceedings, while earlier the court released 13 detained demonstrators. Likewise, at the seventh protest in Tirana, 33 people were reported arrested and another 41 placed under criminal investigation.
On the political front, Interior Minister Taulant Balla reacted after the Socialist Party parliamentary group meeting, describing the protests as violent and calling for minors not to be used in them.