Albania's opposition leader toughens tone, warns of civil unrest

Albania's opposition leader Lulzim Basha Friday warned of civil unrest if "we get no concrete answer to our demands."

"What we have started is not a party demonstration, but rather a people's movement without turning back," he said.

On the seventh day of the anti-government protest staged by the opposition Democratic Party, and supported by other opposition parties and citizens, Basha toughened his tone to mobilize people across the country.

The opposition here is asking the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama and creating a caretaker government before the June 18 general elections. According to the opposition, this would be the only way to prevent the purchase of votes and mandates by the current government.

The democrats have also requested the revision of the vetting package of the justice reform.

Speaking during a daily meeting with opposition party supporters, Basha warned the protest would escalate into a violent one. According to him, Albanian people have lost patience.

"Those who play games with the people should do their math well because the popular wave will wipe them out of their offices," he said.

European Union officials have condemned the boycott of parliament, calling on the opposition to return to where it should be, "the Parliament."

But despite such calls from Brussels, Basha has made clear his stance saying that the Albanian opposition would continue protests and their parliamentary boycott.

Source: Xinhua