Protest for the second time in Pogradec/ Citizens seek solutions to their concerns

2026-06-13 20:33:00, Aktualitet CNA

Protest for the second time in Pogradec/ Citizens seek solutions to their

With banners in their hands and calls for change, residents gathered again in the square, demanding more attention from institutions for development, public services, and the preservation of the city's identity.

Protesters raised concerns about public investments, infrastructure, healthcare, and the way taxes are administered, while demanding that citizens be more active in protecting their interests.

"With Pogradec! We are not a few people, that's how many of us are in our city, because it is difficult to gather uninvolved and independent people in Pogradec. As a taxpayer and as a businessman of this city, I do not know what the taxes collected for this city are spent on. I do not know if a road has been built that has regular and European standards. Roads are destroyed before they are built. We do not have a hospital with optimal conditions. After 35 years, if these conditions have not been created for the people who only pay, then they are either incompetent or thieves. The war must not stop. No matter how few we are, more and more people will be added every day. The political wings must also unite, because we are all for one goal: for Albania to move forward ," the protester says.

During the protest, there were also calls for the preservation of the city's values ??and objections to constructions that, according to the organizers, do not fit the character of Pogradec.

"For all of you who have participated here, this is a sign of freedom and pride. Not everyone has chosen to be in this square today and not everyone can be here. This is a privilege for us. I am extremely happy to see that in our city there are honest and brave citizens who come out and defend their city, the future of their children, national assets, identity and cultural heritage. We are not against development, but against those constructions that do not suit our city," said the citizen.

Citizens also spoke about daily problems and the need, according to them, for a change in the way of governance.

"If you take all the citizens away from the troubles we have, we have become like Bir Selmani, the mother who cried before. This country is blessed, but we have continued with misgovernment. Albania has many assets, but what needs to change is the system, from misgovernment to good governance. This requires wise people with high morals," the citizens say.

The second protest in Pogradec ended with citizens calling for continued reaction and wider participation in the coming days. /CNA