How reports about protesters coming to Tirana are being misled

2026-05-08 13:02:00, Aktualitet CNA

Every time the opposition organizes protests in Tirana, a "battle" of numbers begins in parallel. In political statements, posts on social networks or reports from party structures, there is talk of thousands of citizens "flooding" from the regions to the capital. Korça, Fier, Elbasan or Shkodra are often mentioned as areas with "high mobilization".

But verifications on the ground show that reality does not always match political propaganda.

Today, interest has focused on Korça, one of the cities traditionally mentioned in reports as a mobilization base for opposition protests.

However, sources and direct verifications indicate that only 6 people left Korça for Tirana, mainly MPs and individuals close to political structures.

According to information provided, the number of those who left was around 6 people, while no organization with buses or vans was observed, a practice that is usually used in cases where mass participation in protests is intended.

This situation stands in stark contrast to the claims circulating in the media or in political statements, which speak of widespread support and an influx of protesters from Korça to Tirana.

On the other hand, it is a stubborn fact that refutes claims of "floods" of protesters towards Tirana.

The Democratic Party in Korça continues to be divided and has organizational problems. The lack of a consolidated leadership, internal conflicts, and the weakening of local structures have significantly affected its ability to mobilize.

In this context, claims of mass participation seem more like part of a political and media strategy to create the perception of great popular support for the protest.

The phenomenon of inflating figures is not new in Albanian politics.

Precisely for this reason, field verifications take on special importance, as they separate reality from political narrative.

Meanwhile, from Korça, only the deputies from this district are expected to come to Tirana, and it is not known whether Ilir Vrenozi, who is known as a Democrat supporter, will also be present./ CNA