Government
Rama on the protests: No one speaks for the people, I will stay in office until the last day of my contract
In a message to citizens, Prime Minister Edi Rama called the protests of recent weeks the aggression of a crowd of urban rioters and said the people speak only through the vote.
By ANN Newsroom · Newsroom
October 28, 2026, 14:10 · Updated 18:43 · 2 min read
In brief
- Rama said citizens have the right to protest and to demand his resignation, but no one is authorized to speak on behalf of the people.
- He described the violence against institutions, shops and the police as “the aggression of a crowd of urban rioters and online persecutors.”
- The prime minister said he will remain in office “until the last day of the contract.”
Prime Minister Edi Rama responded on Wednesday with a lengthy message to citizens about the protests that have gripped Tirana for more than two weeks. According to ATSH (the Albanian Telegraphic Agency), he addressed the street violence, the role of students and the demands that he step down.
“The people speak for themselves, with their vote”
Rama acknowledged that every citizen, regardless of political conviction, has the right to criticize the government, to protest, to strike and to demand his resignation “both in the streets and on screens.” But he said no crowd has a mandate to represent all Albanians: “There is no authorization whatsoever to speak on behalf of the people. Because the people speak for themselves, with their vote.” He described the protesters as a mix of individuals, social groups and political parties with no connection to one another.
Broken windows and blocked intersections
The prime minister cited the windows smashed at and around the Ministry of Education, the blocking of intersections, shouting at night and the intimidation of drivers, as well as stones and fire aimed at institutions, shops and the State Police. “Is it possible to accept as normal the aggression of a crowd of urban rioters and online persecutors?” he asked, adding that when he speaks of those affected he also means people who did not vote for the government. Rama also criticized some television channels, which he said celebrate violence against the police.
Turning to the economy, he listed higher investment, wages and pensions and more than 12 million tourists a year, and recalled the goal of closing the chapters of EU accession talks by the end of 2027.
“Until the last day”
Rama closed the message by ruling out resignation: “I am and will be at the helm of my duty until the last day of the contract.” The protesters, who are demanding his departure, have said the rallies will continue.
