Violence broke out in the Albanian Parliament on Thursday as lawmakers from the opposition accused the government of violently suppressing demonstrations demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama. This incident follows a week of unrest in Tirana, according to reports.
During a scheduled vote, opposition deputies gathered in front of the Parliament Speaker’s podium, urging a suspension of the session due to ongoing disturbances. They displayed photos showing the injuries sustained by a protester allegedly beaten by police.
The opposition lawmakers threw water and paper at the Speaker, which led to physical altercations with other members of Parliament.
Similar incidents have occurred in the Albanian Parliament in the past. Opposition leader Sali Berisha, head of the Democratic Party, stated, “Today, the opposition deputies decided to be the voice of the students’ demands.”
Pirro Vengu, a deputy from Rama’s Socialist Party, accused the opposition on social media of attempting to exploit the unrest as a means to regain power.
On the same day, several hundred demonstrators gathered outside the Parliament building during the session, but no clashes were reported. Minor incidents were noted in Tirana on Wednesday evening.
The student-led protest movement is calling for a national assembly this Saturday, demanding better educational support and the resignation of Edi Rama, who has faced long-standing corruption accusations.
Over 300 people, including many police officers, have been injured in the clashes, with dozens of protesters arrested. The anti-government protests in this Balkan nation began in May in response to a controversial tourism project linked to the family of former U.S. President Donald Trump.
