In the ten-day protest that began in Tirana following an incident on the coast in the village of Zvërnec, several different groups have taken part.
Below is a classification based on observation, without prejudice.
Honest Citizens
The first group consists of citizens who attend the protest in response to what they see as injustices accumulated over the last 35 years.
These include families who have lost property, people who have been robbed or cheated, individuals who have worked for decades yet receive pensions that barely cover medication, small business owners, opposition supporters who consistently vote against those in power, and citizens with no political affiliation.
They share a deep sense of frustration and rebellion toward the political establishment, primarily directed at Prime Minister Edi Rama after 13 years in power, but also, in some cases, toward Sali Berisha. Berisha is viewed by some as someone who has held opposition politics hostage and indirectly prolonged Rama’s rule.
This group represents the moral backbone of the protest. When they saw even a small spark of hope, they chose to support it. Questions about who called for the protest, how it was organized, or who may be manipulating it are largely irrelevant to them.
Influencers and VIPs Allegedly Supported by Erion Veliaj
Another widely discussed group consists of influencers and public figures who promote the protests on social media.
Many of them openly supported Erion Veliaj during the 2023 local elections or backed Edi Rama during previous election campaigns, including the 2025 parliamentary elections and campaigns dating back to 2013. Critics argue that while they now oppose the government, few publicly acknowledge their past support by saying, “I supported Rama, I voted for him, I helped bring him to power, but today I no longer support him.”
According to this view, many are driven more by visibility and social media engagement than by the issues raised by the protesters. Their critics claim they follow public sentiment to gain more followers rather than out of concern for environmental issues, property rights, or the motivations of the first group.
Some protesters believe that their primary motivation is increasing their online influence, earning income, and maintaining ties with political figures such as Erion Veliaj through various forms of support.
