TIRANA, Albania — October 22, 2026 — On the tenth day of protests against his government, Prime Minister Edi Rama has once again called for dialogue, this time placing stone benches bearing the word “Dialogue” outside the Prime Minister’s Office.
 |
The move follows students’ repeated rejection of chairs previously installed by Rama as a gesture inviting protesters to sit down and talk. According to the account of events, the chairs were broken by protesters the previous day.
Students Reject Symbolic Gestures
For the demonstrators, the dispute is not about chairs or stone benches, but about trust, political accountability and their demand for Rama’s resignation.
Students, high school pupils and university professors continue to protest, arguing that symbolic gestures cannot replace concrete responses to their demands. The new benches have done little to change the standoff, with students again refusing to negotiate with the prime minister.
Critics of the initiative see the installation as an attempt to frame a serious political crisis around the symbolism of dialogue, rather than address the substance of the protesters’ grievances.
University Boycott Adds Pressure
The protests are also being accompanied by a boycott of teaching at public universities, adding another dimension to the confrontation between the government and the education community.
With students, high school pupils and professors continuing to demand Rama’s departure, the dispute shows no sign of being resolved through gestures outside the government building alone.
Rama can install more benches, but whether dialogue becomes possible will depend on whether protesters believe their demands are being seriously addressed.