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| Protesters in front of Prime Ministry headquarters in Tirana because of the rise of oil and food prices |
Several thousand protesters gathered again for the second day in Tirana and other cities across the country against the rise in fuel and food prices, demanding that the government oversee the markets.
Protesters in front of the Prime Minister's Office on the "Dëshmorët e Kombit" promenade even today joined the announcements on social networks, while many of them held in their hands' slogans against the rise in oil prices and the underestimation that, according to them, state authorities are doing to market speculation.
The microphone was spontaneously picked up by ordinary citizens, who expressed their anger and insecurity in the face of the rising cost of living.
They are ordinary workers and union representatives, students and professors, well-known artists, and retirees.
All speakers voiced the same demand for the protection of the poor from the rise in markets, dismissing the government's explanations that market fluctuations have occurred since the war in Ukraine.
As the protest continued in the square in front of the government headquarters, Prime Minister Edi Rama promised in a conversation with followers through Facebook that within 48 hours the government will publish concrete measures to resolve the issue with prices.
"Oil is a commodity. We say that this country is at war, not in the sense that it has taken up arms, the war is coming to this country, with the price of oil in the first place, therefore we will treat it, to stop any tendency of speculation."- said Prime Minister Rama.
He stressed that within 48 hours a normative act will be created, a regulatory framework, with which the government will enter directly into the national fuel supply board.
"Suppliers will be at the table with the government to make price transparency on a daily basis and the profit margin will be set at the table, and all aspects will be discussed, up to the point of sale. We will not allow previously unapproved prices to appear at the point of supply and will impose measures on anyone who violates the measures of this board. Today is not the day to gain, but to resist," said Mr. Rama.
He added that oil prices in Albania are falling, but the government will enter the national board for the urgency of fuel supply and no one will be able to speculate.
"The most serious thing that is potentially ahead of us is the complete lack of oil and energy. The main problem that countries have is that they can not find the necessary amount. The world is in an energy crisis and the war has deepened this crisis to the maximum," said the Albanian Prime Minister.
Mr. Rama said that large savings will be placed in the government and administration for energy.
The protest and the speech of the Prime Minister took place at the same time and it seems that Mr. Rama's promises did not calm down the protesters until they announced the continuation of the protest tomorrow at the same hour in front of the government headquarters.
Tensions between police and protesters erupted on Thursday evening, as well as the night before when a number of them were detained.
Police accompanied young people who tried to block street intersections in Tirana after the protest.
Law enforcement said they guarantee peaceful protests, but will not tolerate violent acts to the detriment of urban normalcy.
A series of protests took place today in many cities of Albania with the same demands against the increase of fuel and food prices.
In Kukës, a group of citizens blocked Rruga e Kombit, which connects Albania with Kosovo.
Another protest took place in Lezha with the blocking of the main road, where a leader of the Christian community joined the citizens.
Protesters in Lushnje blocked an important roundabout near the highway.