The Trade Union of University Employees of Albania (SPUSH) expressed its support on Friday for the civic mobilisation that has been taking place in Tirana and other cities across the country since May 31, 2026.
In a public statement, the union described the protests as an expression of active citizenship and democratic engagement, noting that many of its members have participated actively in the demonstrations.
SPUSH welcomed the peaceful and non-partisan nature of the protests, which it said were organised to protect natural protected areas, public assets, and to ensure citizen consultation in decision-making processes.
The union also highlighted the important role played by young people in organising the movement, stressing that a large number of protesters are current or former students of Albanian universities.
According to SPUSH, the protesters’ demands are rooted in key principles of transparency, public accountability, and consultation with stakeholders, values that are in line with the standards of the European Higher Education Area.
The statement further emphasised that universities and the academic community should play an active role in public debates concerning environmental protection, sustainable development, and the management of public assets. The union argued that academic expertise in fields such as ecology, urban planning, economics, and law should be formally included in decision-making processes related to projects with significant social and environmental impact.
SPUSH expressed concern that bypassing academic expertise and stakeholder consultation could negatively affect the quality and legitimacy of public policies.
The union also reaffirmed the right of lecturers and academic staff to freely express their views in public debate and voiced support for any initiative that, in its view, contributes to strengthening democracy, combating corruption, improving education, and advancing Albania’s European integration process.
In conclusion, SPUSH called on the government and political forces to listen to the protesters’ demands and engage in finding solutions that serve the interests of citizens and the country’s European future.
