ALBAWABA- Thousands of opposition supporters clashed with police in Albania’s capital, Tirana, as a demonstration calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama turned violent.
Protesters, mobilized by the opposition Democratic Party (PD), threw Molotov cocktails at government buildings, including the prime minister’s office. One demonstrator was injured after mishandling an incendiary device.
Police responded with tear gas and water cannons to disperse the crowd, making several arrests. No fatalities were reported, and calm largely returned to the capital, although opposition leaders warned of further protests if their demands are not met.
The unrest was sparked by corruption allegations against Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku, who was indicted last week by Albania’s Special Prosecution Office (SPAK) on charges of abuse of power linked to a multimillion-euro waste incinerator contract. The case has intensified accusations of widespread graft within Rama’s government.
Political tensions escalated further on December 18, when opposition lawmakers disrupted parliament by lighting flares and clashing with security guards. Albania has remained deeply polarized, with Rama’s Socialist Party in power since 2013 amid persistent opposition claims of electoral fraud and political interference in the judiciary.
Beyond the immediate scandal, the protests reflect broader public frustration over economic stagnation, high emigration rates, and delays in Albania’s European Union accession, which is closely tied to progress on anti-corruption reforms demanded by Brussels.
Rama, the longest-serving prime minister in post-communist Albania, is a divisive figure. A former mayor of Tirana and trained painter, he has led three successive electoral victories and promoted urban renewal and digital governance reforms.
