An anti-government protest in Albania entered its 15th consecutive day on Saturday, taking a new turn as demonstrators expanded their march beyond central Tirana and temporarily blocked key transport routes leading to the country's main international airport.

After gathering for approximately two hours outside the Prime Minister’s Office and carrying out their now-familiar march through the streets of the capital, protesters altered their route and headed toward the Tirana–Durrës highway instead of returning to their starting point.

The demonstration led to the temporary disruption of traffic on the highway for several hours before participants continued toward the road connecting Tirana to Mother Teresa International Airport.

Around 2 a.m. local time, protesters encountered police units, including members of the Special Forces and the “Shqiponja” operational units, who had established several security cordons supported by police vehicles.

Demonstrators remained seated on the airport access road for roughly one hour before deciding not to proceed further and instead return toward the capital.

Tensions briefly emerged earlier in the evening when individuals wearing black hoods and sunglasses appeared among the crowd. Concerns spread after reports circulated that citizens were allegedly being asked to provide identification cards to sign a petition. Protest organizers rejected the claims, describing them as an attempt to provoke unrest.

Throughout the rally, participants continued to call for the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama’s government and the establishment of a transitional administration. Protesters also expressed dissatisfaction with Albania’s political establishment through speeches, banners, satire, and symbolic demonstrations.

One of the most discussed developments during the gathering was the reported departure of Shkodër lawmaker Marjana Koçeku from the governing Socialist Party’s parliamentary group. Protest participants described the move as evidence that pressure from the demonstrations was having an impact on the political landscape.

The rally was also joined by residents from Durrës who oppose the proposed TID project, adding another dimension to the growing movement.

Following speeches delivered from a stage erected in front of the Prime Minister’s Office, demonstrators continued their march through Tirana before entering the city’s Eastern Ring Road.

No major incidents or arrests were immediately reported, while organizers vowed to continue demonstrations in the coming days.