US NEWS echoes the opposition's protest: Democrats also call for the release of Berisha

The protest of the opposition did not escape even the American media , US News , which did not cover it.

"Opposition forces in Albania are holding a nationwide protest in the country's capital demanding that the government be replaced by a technical cabinet before next year's parliamentary elections," writes US News.

Reflection:

Opposition forces in Albania are staging a nationwide protest in the country's capital on Monday demanding that the government be replaced by a technical caretaker cabinet ahead of next year's parliamentary elections.

The conservative opposition accuses the left-wing government of manipulating previous votes and of usurping powers, including that of the judiciary.

Former Prime Minister Sali Berisha's Democratic Party staged protests in Parliament last week after one of their colleagues was convicted of defamation and jailed, which the opposition described as politically motivated.

Ervin Salianji in 2018 demanded the resignation of the then Minister of the Interior for the accusations of his brother's illegal activities that later turned out to be fabricated. Salianji, who began serving his one-year sentence more than a week ago, has appealed his sentence to the Supreme Court.

Democrats are seeking a cabinet made up of technocrats, blaming Prime Minister Edi Rama of the ruling left-wing Socialist Party for rigging previous votes. They have long accused Rama's socialists of usurping power, including the judiciary, and have staged violent protests against the government since 2013.

Democrats are also calling for the release of Berisha from house arrest, who was placed under investigation for alleged corruption.

The opposition has called for civil disobedience, starting the protest with a rally in front of the main government building, where there will be no speeches, and then extending it by blocking traffic at Tirana's main intersections.

A car tire was burnt in front of the presidential office, not far from the main government offices.

Hundreds of police officers, equipped with gas masks, have taken up positions to protect key government institutions. The police have said that traffic is blocked in many streets in the center of Tirana.

Albania holds parliamentary elections next year.