As the protest escalated into acts of violence, DP leader Sali Berisha in a statement again called for the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama, accusing him of leading the country towards civil conflict.
Berisha’s full statement
Tirana experienced today the day of the most savage state violence and terror against young students and citizens, in their revolt against the narco-state, against the godfather Edi Rama, the greatest arsonist in history of the dreams, of the noble ideals of Albanian youth, of their future. Today the citizens and youth of Tirana, the citizens of Tirana and all of Albania were in complete civil disobedience. The protesters, young men, women, men, faced like lions the barrages of bullets of state murderers, with tons of gas and poisons aimed at them, but they triumphed. Tirana, the capital, has never been more in their hands than today. Civil disobedience was Shkodra, Durrës, Elbasan, Vlora, Korça and other cities. So if yesterday was the day of the general strike of the country’s universities and high schools, today was the day of general civil disobedience of Albanian citizens in all four corners of the country.
I bow with the greatest respect to the tens of thousands of citizens who marked this day with their epic courage, bravery, and determination, on a day of great hope for Albanians. There are dozens, dozens of people injured by rubber bullets with deadly force, wounded in the head, wounded in the chest, wounded in the arm, and everywhere else. Never before have continuous volleys of rubber bullets been used as they have today by uniformed drug traffickers.
Edi Rama is looking for blood. Edi Rama is looking for victims. Edi Rama, immersed in the most heinous crimes, prefers bloodshed instead of resignation. Instead of a political solution, he prefers civil conflict. I say to Edi Rama once and for all, resign urgently, do not lead Albania towards a civil conflict, because you will be its main victim. Resign, pave the way for a worthy solution for a NATO member country, for a country with strong aspirations for European integration. Resign, in the name of the dreams, ideals and future of Albanians, builder of the most consolidated narco-state in Europe and the world. Resign, do not return to the genes of your cruel fathers, because the punishment will be great for you. Announce your resignation a minute earlier.
Meanwhile, I express my solidarity with all citizens, young people, students, democrats, non-partisans, socialists, whatever they may be in this protest. I call on citizens, both as an act of belated responsibility, and as an act of parental obligation towards these young people, and as an act of civic obligation to restore to this country the hope of law, freedoms, and rights of Albanians, to stand in solidarity with the revolt as the safest path to the most excellent solution, but also as the right path of history. I call on democrats, democrats, and all citizens in all districts to mobilize with all their potential for civil disobedience.
Civil disobedience in every circle is the most precious help for students, freedom fighters. For students, for high school students, true heroes. This hated regime must shake the ground under its feet in every square meter of the territory of this country. Meanwhile, for the citizens who may come to Tirana tomorrow, to flock to the capital. Here is the flag, here is the square, where the victory will be signed by the Albanian citizens. Once again, my call: everyone on their feet, to give the deserved punishment to this hated regime for the Albanians. Thank you.