Parties
Këlliçi from the podium: PD demands Rama's resignation, a caretaker government and the dissolution of Parliament
The Democratic lawmaker told the plenary session that PD's parliamentary group will stand by the students and condemned what he called “brutish” police violence against young people.
By ANN Newsroom · Newsroom
October 22, 2026, 10:22 · Updated 12:24 · 2 min read
In brief
- Belind Këlliçi told Parliament that PD is demanding the prime minister's resignation, a caretaker government and the self-dissolution of Parliament.
- He called the student protest “the most powerful student movement” and a revolt against Rama's model of governance.
- The statement came on the 10th day of protests, as students and lecturers gathered outside Parliament.
The Democratic Party (PD) took its demand for the government's departure straight to the floor of Parliament on Thursday. Lawmaker Belind Këlliçi, speaking on behalf of the Democratic parliamentary group, said the opposition is demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama, the formation of a caretaker government and the dissolution of Parliament.
Këlliçi tied the demand directly to the student protests, which entered their 10th day on Thursday. “Today is the 10th day that Albania is experiencing the most powerful student movement,” he said, describing the mobilization of young people as a revolt against a model of governance that, in his view, is pulling the country away from its European future.
“The state has been captured”
The Democratic lawmaker accused the prime minister of concentrating power, saying that “the state has been captured by Rama's absolute power.” He condemned police interventions against protesters, speaking of “brutish violence against students,” as well as what he called daily blackmail by a “delegitimized” prime minister.
“PD's parliamentary group will remain by the side of the students and every citizen who protests for dignity,” Këlliçi stressed.
A turbulent session
The statement came during a plenary session marked by clashes between lawmakers, the opposition's blockade of the podium and the majority's vote on bills by show of voting cards. The Democrats had earlier asked Parliament for a special session on the student protest and had filed an urgent interpellation of Interior Minister Ervin Demo.
The government has not officially responded to the demand for a caretaker government. Prime Minister Rama has repeated his invitation to dialogue with the protesters in recent days, while accusing the opposition of using the protests for political ends.
