The Democratic Party leader announced that starting October 6, they will organize protests across the country. The party leadership and parliamentary group have approved a strategy of civil disobedience. In Parliament, they plan to implement a blockade similar to the one used for nearly five months, starting from October 5 last year. The Democrats aim to escalate their actions to challenge what they describe as an unfair and corrupt government led by Edi Rama.

Why is this relevant: The Democrats have been plotting mass protests with the goal of toppling Edi Rama’s government and forcing the creation of a technical government to oversee parliamentary elections. However, the recent Court of Appeals decision to sentence Democratic MP Ervin Salianji to one year in prison for false reporting has accelerated these plans. According to Democratic leader Sali Berisha, Salianji’s imprisonment is viewed as a politically motivated act ordered by Prime Minister Edi Rama, which has pushed the opposition to radicalize its stance further.

What Berisha said: Berisha stated that the Democrats have been on the defensive against a government that he claims has declared war on the opposition. He announced that starting October 6, the Democrats will launch an unstoppable assault to overthrow what they describe as Edi Rama’s narco-state. “We have endured their attacks for too long; now it’s our turn to strike back,” Berisha said, emphasizing the need for relentless action.

Context: On Sunday afternoon, the Democrats will convene the National Council, the highest decision-making body within the party, to formally approve the escalation to ongoing national protests. This strategic shift toward civil disobedience aligns with the start of Berisha’s trial by the Special Anti-Corruption Court (SPAK). SPAK has compiled a 500-page dossier detailing how Berisha engaged in passive corruption to benefit his son-in-law. His actions included altering laws to enable the privatization of the Partizani Sports Complex, where his daughter’s husband, Jamarbër Malltezi, has cooperated with a businessman to construct a massive residential complex.

Broader Implications: The Democrats’ move to disrupt parliamentary proceedings and take to the streets reflects a familiar, and unsuccessful, pattern of confrontation. Critics argue that this approach undermines democratic processes and continues to alienate voters. Over the past 11 years the Democrats have lost dramatically in all electoral races. With national elections approaching in 2025, this strategy of escalating protests could further weaken the opposition’s standing, making it difficult to regain lost ground.