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| Lulzim Basha greeting DP fans with the fingers after gave up the mandates |
The opposition's protest before the plenary session of the Parliament was calm, following a very strong international pressure, which at the time required the avoidance of episodes of violence and harsh language.
Unlike what happened on Saturday, the opposition MPs addressed the citizens one after the other with short messages, summed up by Basha."The United States of America is today in this square and from this square I tell you that we seek for Albanians the values and principles you have for your peoples. Lulzim Basha will stay on your side in this battle because I believe in European democracy, I believe in American democracy," said Basha.
At the end of his speech, Basha called on the protesters to follow him at the Parliament in order to perform symbolically the act of giving up the mandates.
"Follow me along with all the members, even for a few minutes of opposition in this Parliament. No one is missing. Come to us all in this direction to finally and irrevocably give up the mandates of the deputies to give an end to this criminal regime. Follow me to finalize this historic, patriotic, national and European act," Basha declared.
The crowd of protestors moved from one parliamentary seat to another. Up to these moments, Prime Minister Rama followed the protest from Gramoz Ruci's office in the Presidency of the Assembly, but moved to the Prime Minister shortly before midday.
Just a few moments before the protesters reached the boulevard, Rama's escort was seen to leave.
Few meters away, at the Assembly Presidency entered Lulzim Basha to hand over the mandates, accompanied by the Democratic General Secretary, Gazment Bardhi, as well as the chairman of SMI, Monika Kryemadhi.
About 30 minutes later, the DP chairman communicated through gestures that everything is done.
With the return of Basha to the headquarters of the Democratic Party, the protesters emptied the "Dëshmorët e Kombit" boulevard, while the head of state closed the protest with the National Hymn but did not set another date of meeting with citizens in the square.
"Starting today, we are mere citizens on your side, with you and for you. We launched today a journey of hope, which will not stop until the European destination of this country becomes a reality."