Sali Berisha used the PD assembly in Krujë to reaffirm the Democratic Party’s support for the protest, turning his speech into a direct political attack on Prime Minister Edi Rama. In his remarks, the Democratic leader presented the protest as a civic one and aligned with the opposition’s demands.
Full support for the protest
During his speech in Krujë, Berisha said the PD would support the protest with “all its potential.” He described it as a civic protest, insisting that the opposition respects it and will be part of it.
The statement comes at a time when the protest is also being used as a space for political mobilization, as the opposition seeks to link public discontent to its agenda against the government.
Political attack on Rama
In the strongest part of his speech, Berisha claimed that the protest has made Edi Rama “the most hated man,” not only in Albania but also in Europe. This is a political assessment articulated by him, without any concrete indicator presented in this public appearance.
The rhetoric used in this case places the emphasis on the political and symbolic effect of the protest, rather than on any measurable institutional or electoral consequence.
‘People of the square’ and a message to critics
Berisha also said that the PD would not withdraw from participation in the square, despite, according to him, the slogans or positions of groups he described as the “opposition of the opposition.”
According to the PD leader, the protesters’ demands are identical to the opposition’s demands. With this wording, he tried to bring the protest closer to the PD’s political discourse, presenting it as a common front against the government.
Berisha’s appearance at the PD assembly in Krujë confirms that the opposition is politically investing in the protest and in capitalizing on public dissatisfaction with the government.
It remains to be seen whether this support will produce a real expansion of the opposition front, or whether it will remain mainly at the level of political rhetoric.