We have just arrived in Tirana for an event tomorrow and were met by a remarkable sight:

JUN 09 2026 · 21:30

We have just arrived in Tirana for an event tomorrow and were met by a remarkable sight: thousands of Albanians gathered outside Prime Minister Edi Rama’s office for the tenth consecutive evening; waving flags, holding banners, and making their deafening voices impossible to ignore. At a time when many feel powerless in the face of global events, there’s something incredibly empowering about citizens showing up, day after day, to demand more from their elected officials. Democracy isn’t just something that happens at the polling station, it can also be found in the streets, squares, and public spaces where people come together to speak truth to power. Looking down from our hotel window, it was impossible not to be moved by the determination, resilience, and collective energy of the huge crowd. Whatever the outcome, these courageous protesters are proving an engaged citizenry remains one of the most powerful forces for change. Cities function best when they provide space not just for mobility and industry, but also for assembly, dissent, and collective expression. Tonight, Tirana’s main boulevard was fulfilling that role in the most vociferous way imaginable.