By Zenel Celiku
TIR-FAX News Agency
In recent days, Albania has witnessed a troubling development: the opposition’s protest escalated into the burning of parliament chairs. This violent act followed the arrest of opposition MP Ervin Salianji, accused of defaming a minister from the ruling party. While the protest’s roots lie in a legitimate call for accountability, the shift from peaceful demonstration to violent confrontation threatens to undermine its intended message.
This turn of events has alarmed the U.S. and British embassies, as well as representatives from the European Union. They expressed their deep concern, urging the opposition to seek explanations from the ruling party, engage in constructive dialogue, and maintain the safety of citizens rather than resorting to violence. Protests should not descend into extreme acts that generate disturbing images or damage public property. The chairs that were burned were entrusted to MPs by the people, who expect them to voice their concerns and represent their interests.
The recent protest has raised fears that the Democratic Party (DP) may be fostering instability. Salianji’s arrest is primarily a legal matter, reflecting his personal responsibilities. It is crucial for us to place our trust in the new justice system and exercise patience.
Currently, Salianji is serving a one-year prison sentence, and his case is now before the Supreme Court. Therefore, the opposition must remain composed and respond through democratic means. While the DP has every right to protest, it must do so in a manner that does not escalate tensions.
In light of the violent actions of some members, the Socialist Party (SP) has called for the suspension of 24 democrat MPs for two weeks. This has prompted a meeting of the Ethics Secretariat in Parliament to discuss the request for their exclusion from parliamentary activities. During this session, Flamur Noka, the DP Secretary and a prominent radical within the party, reacted aggressively, shouting and throwing a microphone at socialist members of the commission.
It’s essential to recognize that perspectives on protest methods vary within civil society. Sali Berisha, the radical leader of the DP currently under house arrest for corruption, has urged his supporters to engage in civil disobedience. Some citizens advocate for peaceful protests, while others believe they have the right to rebel, even resorting to violence. There are those who take to the streets for strong, non-violent protests, while others condemn any form of violence, especially in light of recent events.
All political parties must respect judicial decisions, and politicians should honor their opponents’ opinions without causing harm or resorting to illegal power struggles characterized by violence and extreme tactics.
Historically, Albanian society has closely monitored DP protests, which have unfortunately often resulted in social unrest. This leads us to ask: What motivates these violent actions? Is there a destructive political agenda at play? Are there potential terrorist elements among the protesters? Why hasn’t Prime Minister Rama sought to engage with protest representatives? Will we see more violent protests in the future? The answers to these questions likely reside with the DP protesters, whose extreme actions are completely unacceptable.
Like many citizens, I felt a deep sense of dismay watching the footage of parliament chairs being set ablaze at the assembly’s entrance. However, we must confront this harsh reality.
Violence is not acceptable to Albanians, who have suffered greatly from sporadic violence over the past 30 years. The international community present in Albania has cautioned that those who have previously held power—specifically the DP—must avoid engaging in destructive public actions. They have urged all parties to demonstrate restraint in line with their responsibilities, ensuring that the rights of all voices are heard, debated, and respected.
The DP has declared that protests will continue with vigor, bordering on civil disobedience, raising concerns about political and social instability. However, the recent emphasis among citizens on the importance of non-violence provides a glimmer of hope. Let us remain optimistic that future protests will be free from fear and anxiety, that state institutions will be respected, that historically significant sites will be protected, and that private businesses will not suffer as they have in the past during DP protests.
