The week-long protest against increased prices is “repulsive” and out of context, for analyst Baton Haxhiu.

Haxhiu said that a protest in itself is a ‘sign of civilized society’, but protesters must show strong arguments against a government.

According to him, Albanians cannot protest at a time of war, something that has also been articulated by Prime Minister Edi Rama.

“Albanians cannot protest increased prices”, Haxhiu said, despite the fact that prices have become unbearable to many.

He said that the people should be “patient” because now is the time to show solidarity with Ukraine.

According to him, it is the war that led to the price spike, but activists explain that the protests were not against the consequences of the war, but against the government’s abuses in regards to these prices.

Activist Migen Qiraxhi said that for three years in a row, Albanians have been unable to protest, but they can no longer wait to react against injustices.

“Once there was the earthquake, then the pandemic, now the war in Ukraine. “You cannot wait three years, get robbed and still not react”, he said.

Activist and lawyer Redon Meksi also clarified that Albanians are not protesting the consequences of the war, but because the government has not taken measures to tackle the increased prices.

“We are not protesting against the increase in oil prices due to the war from Ukraine, but because the government has not taken measures to tackle counter that,” he said.