Debates over the protests and clashes between demonstrators and police also accompanied the meeting of the Economy Committee. Democratic Party MP Ledina Aliolli, who was present at the meeting, spoke about the protests taking place across the country, stating that the opposition would stand in support of the students.
Aliolli stressed that, given that young people are protesting for their rights, the meeting cannot proceed under a normal agenda. She condemned the violence against protesters, also citing the case of the young man from Elbasan, Erjon, who, according to her, risks losing his sight.
“The meeting cannot have a normal agenda, knowing that outside this hall there are young people protesting for their right. On the other hand, they are being subjected to violence. Specifically, we have the case of the boy from Elbasan, Erjon, who today is fighting for himself, because he is at risk of losing his sight”, Aliolli said.
She described the situation as a reality characterized by violence against young people, students and citizens who are protesting, while accusing the government led by Edi Rama of the model she said it has built in the country.
“The PD will stand in support of the young people. The students are in the square and we will be in the square”, said the Democratic MP, who left the meeting after her speech.
Following Aliolli’s statements, Socialist MP Erion Braçe responded by noting that protests have been taking place in Tirana for more than 15 days. He described them as violent, arguing that acts of violence have crossed the limits of law, public order and the constitution.
Braçe expressed regret for all persons injured during the protests, including police officers and citizens, while stressing that the majority is ready to listen to the students’ demands.
“We have all due attention to hear the students’ demand, with the exception of those who exercise violence and do not allow a clear dialogue with citizens in protest to be established”, Braçe said.
In conclusion, he underlined that the Socialist Party has chosen to hold a different stance from that of the opposition, reiterating the importance of dialogue in addressing the protesters’ demands.