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Albania's opposition kicks off anti-government protest

Xinhua, February 18, 2017 Adjust font size:

Albanian opposition parties launched on Saturday a massive protest in front of the Prime Minister's office.

Protesters said they are asking for a guarantee for a free and fair election on June 18.

The organizers and some protesters set up several tents, saying they will stay day and night for an indefinite time.

The Democratic Party (DP), which staged the protest, said it's time to put an end to "a public evil," which according to the Democrats, includes bad economic situation, the spread of narcotics cultivation, the increase of criminal offenses, corruption, poverty and other suppressive measures taken by the government.

DP leader Lulzim Basha highlighted during his speech addressed to protesters that the protest the most direct expression of the will of the people to give an end to the evil, to take the biggest decision for fair and free elections.

For some protesters, their demands are down-to-earth.

I am here to protest for better salaries, better health and education services, better public security, better jobs, better life and better future for my children, a protester told Xinhua.

Apart from the opposition supporters and ordinary citizens, there are also businessmen who responded to the DP's call to rise up their voice and join the protest.

Several road axes in the capital have been blocked while around 1,500 state police officers have been deployed to guarantee order and protect the important buildings.

As the general elections are only four months away, many see the protest as a test for the DP leader Basha. Enditem