Parties
Berisha: PD calls national protest on Saturday, Oct. 31, in support of students
The PD leader announced at a press conference a national protest in Tirana on Saturday, condemning what he called unconstitutional police violence against peaceful protesters.
By ANN Newsroom · Newsroom
October 27, 2026, 13:12 · Updated 18:42 · 1 min read
In brief
- PD will hold a national protest on Saturday, Oct. 31, in support of university and high school students.
- Berisha accuses police stations of detaining citizens without legal grounds to scare them away from the protests.
- The Democratic leader says PD lawmakers' attendance at committees and walkouts are a decision of the parliamentary group.
Democratic Party (PD) leader Sali Berisha announced on Tuesday that the opposition will hold a national protest in Tirana on Saturday, Oct. 31, in support of the university and high school students who have been protesting for two weeks. He invited the capital's residents to join the rally and said Albanians from the diaspora are also expected to take part. The time and place of the rally were not announced.
Berisha said PD's support for the students will be given “fully and strongly” and that nothing now separates the party from two principles: firm support for the students and their protection. He described the student movement as a revolt of great importance for the country's future.
Accusations against the police
At the press conference, the Democratic leader condemned what he called terror and unconstitutional violence against citizens who take part in peaceful protests. According to him, police stations are breaking the law and the Constitution by detaining citizens and taking statements from them without legal cause, in order to scare them away from the protests.
Berisha thanked U.S. congressmen and senators, members of the European Parliament and of the German Bundestag for supporting the students' cause. He also declared that “the protests will not stop.”
The opposition in Parliament
Asked about Democratic lawmakers who attend committee meetings and walk out after making statements, Berisha said this is a decision of the parliamentary group, aimed at condemning violence against students and expressing support for their protest. On the fiscal package and the 2027 budget, he said the opposition's other decisions will be announced later.
