25 May 2019 Statement of the President of the Republic, H. E. Ilir Meta regarding the protest called to take place tonight by the United Opposition
At the eve of the national protest called by the leaders of the United Opposition to take place tonight, by expressing the conviction that peaceful and democratic gatherings are a fundamental, legitimate and constitutional right of democracy, I would like to stress how important it is is for this protest to be entirely peaceful.
I have been and I am convinced, as the President of the Republic that it is better for the Albanians to protests for their rights and to demand a better and inclusive Albania rather than leave the country.
During the previous protests, regardless of the citizens’ support, were noticed and observed a few unacceptable acts of violence, therefore I would like to remind you that the righteousness and justice of your cause must not be threatened by the unrestrained actions of certain individuals.
It is the responsibility of the leaders of the united opporsition to supervise the fair progress of the protests in which they invited the citizens to take part in.
Only this way your cause for a true demcracy that guarantees a wide civil coexistence, legitimacy and functionality of institutions, will be better heard domesticaly and abroad.
The continuous protests of the opposition have enjoyed the attention and have been broadcasted by the world’s most renowned media, but the entirely peaceful images of your protest will serve best to the European future of Albania.