Huge crowds rallied on Friday in front of Albanian government buildings in Tirana, backing calls by the opposition Socialists for a recount of ballots from last year’s elections.
The protest was the latest development in a political crisis that has shaken the former communist nation and brought the workings of government to a virtual standstill since the polls in June last year.
“The time of the resistance has come. This is a great battle and we are determined to pursue whatever sacrifices are demanded from us,” said Socialist leader Edi Rama.
He called on supporters to keep up the protests until the polls results are clarified.
The Socialists also accused the government of plunging the country into an economic crisis.
“This is the final moment,” said Gramoc Ruci, a Socialist deputy speaking to the crowd, which he said numbered up to 100,000 people.
There was no official or independent figure.
The Socialists accuse Prime Minister Sali Berisha’s ruling coalition of manipulating the results of the elections and have boycotted parliament to demand a recount, which the government has refused.
Fatmir Xhasa, a Socialist deputy, told the protestors that 22 lawmakers would launch a hunger strike in front of the seat of government to demand election transparency.
About a dozen tents were set up to accommodate the strikers.
Protesters held placards calling on Berisha to allow a recount. “Berisha, either open the ballot boxes, or leave,” said one such message.
The government, led by Berisha’s Democrats, has dismissed calls for a recount, claiming that such a demand has already been rejected by the justice system.
The Socialists returned to parliament in February after a boycott of several months but still refused to take part in any vote, holding up the workings of government.
“This protest will last for an unlimited period of time,” Rama, who is also the mayor of Tirana, said to reporters before the start of the demonstration.
“We are determined to continue the protests and civil disobedience, to oblige the government either to be transparent in regard to the fraud-marked elections or to leave,” he said.
The protests have angered the government, especially as the rallies came shortly before a special concert organized by the authorities on Labour Day, for “Albanians who have all reasons to celebrate.”
“The country is changing and it goes towards its European dream,” said Integration Minister Majlinda Bregu.
The nearly year-long political deadlock has also undermined the country’s EU ambitions.
Albania submitted its candidacy for EU membership in April last year and had been hoping to obtain the lifting of visa requirements, enabling its citizens to travel throughout the Schengen zone, which covers most EU countries.
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