TIRANA, July 9 – Albania’s opposition held another peaceful protest on Monday evening, the first after the June 30 local elections, which for Democratic leader Lulzim Basha were “a referendum against evil.”
According to the opposition, low voter turnout, 15 percent according to the Democratic Party but over 22 percent according to the Central Election Commission, were indicative that Albanians are refusing the Socialist government.
“June 30 went into history as a national day of courage, when Albanians showed that they have the strength to separate from evil, was the day of the people when the Albanians showed that they are against the criminal regime of Edi Rama,” said Basha during his speech to the opposition supporters gathered in front of the PM’s office during the protest.
The opposition has denounced the manipulation of local elections. A large ballot box, filled with sheets bearing the ‘RAMA IK’ inscription, was the symbolic selection of the opposition to show the ballot rigging that it claims was carried out on June 30.
“He ran himself, voted himself, counted himself and again stole his votes, but could not hide the abandonment and rejection of the people,” said Basha.
The Democratic leader reiterated several times that the battle for Rama’s departure will continue, despite the holding of local elections and Rama’s claims they were legal.
“Today, Albanians are eager for change, they want a real, non-temporary change, not a fall or a faà§ade, but a change that will put an end to crises and drama of transition, that will put us in the safe path of the EU and Western values. This change will come unless we repeat what we have done in the past. The crisis will be resolved by principles and not by bargaining, ending impunity. Who has brought the country to this point, those who have brought crime into politics will not emerge from the crisis as rescuers but as those responsible. Only this will save the future of the country – justice through law. So I want to say tonight to the world, until real justice comes to those who stole the votes of Albanians along with the crime, will not see a political solution.”
According to Basha, the solution should not be expected from the internationals but from Albanians themselves.
“Salvation will not come from outside. The solution will not come with magic. Work will not be done by others. On our way we will have the help of friends. In our battles we will not be alone, but the battle is ours,” he stressed.
Opposition protests took place shortly after parliament approved the establishment of an investigative commission for the dismissal of President Iir Meta in the evening, but in his speech, both at the protest square and at its closure at the headquarters of the Democratic Party, Basha did not mention this latest development.
