Opposition Protest: Spahia Says Main Message Is Restoring Free Speech in Albania's Parliament and Beyond

The Albanian opposition has launched a new wave of nationwide protests, describing them as a renewed effort to engage with citizens, with the central objective of restoring free speech and defending the public interest. Speaking at the event, Democratic Party MP Bardh Spahia emphasized that the protests aim to revive the “missing voice” in the country's democratic institutions, particularly in Parliament.

According to Spahia, the ruling majority is using its numerical dominance to strip the opposition of the right to speak during parliamentary sessions. “This is a protest that seeks, once again, to restore free speech, which is now entirely absent from institutions meant to guarantee it, such as Parliament,” he said, adding that the movement’s purpose is to return parliamentary accountability to the citizens.

Spahia accused the government of working “in a highly deceptive manner” to suppress and conceal the country’s growing problems by eliminating debates, blocking interpellations with ministers, and rejecting every opposition initiative, including requests to establish investigative committees.

The key message of the protest, Spahia said, is the demand that the ruling majority and the government provide answers for the challenges Albania is facing, highlighting what he described as “rampant corruption.”

He also pointed to the recent corruption scandal involving the Llogara Tunnel, claiming that Prime Minister Edi Rama and Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku are directly involved. “We are talking about Albanian taxpayers’ money, at least 50 million euros, and some say as much as 90 million, stolen from citizens’ pockets,” Spahia said.

In closing, he argued that the opposition has no choice but to take to the streets and engage directly with citizens to defend the public interest, which he said is “under severe attack.”

Spahia’s Full Statement

“We said this from the outset, from the very moment we announced this new approach to engaging Albanian citizens. This is a protest that seeks, once again, to restore free speech, now completely absent from institutions meant to guarantee it, such as Parliament, where the majority, through sheer numbers and voting cards, has stripped the opposition of the right to speak in every session.

“And through silencing the opposition, it has also silenced the citizens we represent. In this context, the start of these protests is particularly important, as it aims to return parliamentary life to the hands of the people. The issues facing the country are countless, and the ruling majority is working in a highly deceptive way to suppress and conceal them by eliminating debates in Parliament, blocking interpellations with ministers and government officials, and rejecting every initiative from the opposition, including the establishment of investigative committees, a constitutional right of MPs from both the opposition and the majority.

“As I said earlier, the main objective is the protection of the public and civic interest, which is under severe attack by this majority and this government. We have no other path but to take to the streets and engage directly with citizens.

“The main message, as I emphasized earlier, is restoring free speech in Albania’s Parliament and beyond. This majority and this government must provide explanations for the extraordinary challenges Albania is facing today. Corruption is rampant.

“And here I bring attention to the major corruption scandals we have seen, including the latest involving the Llogara Tunnel, in which Prime Minister Rama and Deputy Prime Minister Balluku are involved. These are taxpayers’ funds, at least 50 million, and some claim up to 90 million euros, taken from citizens’ pockets.”

https://www.syri.net/politike/839339/protesta-e-opozites-spahia-mesazhi-kryesor-rikthimi-i-fjales-se-lire-ne-parlamentin-e-shqiperise-dhe-jo-vetem/