Police clash with opposition protesters in Albanian capital

Protesters demand prime minister’s resignation

Thousands of backers of former prime minister Sali Berisha gathered outside government headquarters, calling on Socialist Prime Minister Edi Rama to step down. Addressing the crowd, Berisha accused Rama of plunging Albania into poverty and corruption.

His speech was cut short when some demonstrators began launching fireworks and petrol bombs at the government building, prompting police to intervene with tear gas and water cannon.

Clashes near parliament

Berisha later led protesters toward the parliament building, where they were met by anti-riot police. Clashes between officers and demonstrators continued for nearly two hours in surrounding streets, according to reports.

Police said around 30 people were arrested, while the Democratic Party claimed approximately 40 of its supporters were detained. Interior Minister Albana Kociu condemned the violence, describing attacks on police as criminal acts.

Rising political tensions

Albania’s political landscape has long been marked by sharp divisions between left- and right-wing parties, with frequent accusations of corruption and links to organised crime.

Tensions have intensified since November, when Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku was suspended amid a corruption investigation related to infrastructure contracts. She has denied the charges.

Several former ministers under Rama’s government have faced corruption probes, while Berisha himself has also previously denied accusations of awarding public contracts to associates during his tenure.

EU focus on anti-corruption efforts

Albania’s fight against corruption remains a central issue in its European Union membership talks, with Brussels closely monitoring reforms and accountability efforts in Tirana.