Opposition lawmakers in Albania disrupted a parliamentary session with smoke flares, escalating tensions amid ongoing protests against Prime Minister Edi Rama’s government.
Opposition lawmakers in Albania caused a significant disruption during a parliamentary session on Thursday by igniting flares that filled the chamber with colored smoke. This incident marks a notable escalation following weeks of student-led protests against the government.
Members of the main opposition Democratic Party blocked access to the podium during a critical vote on a central bank bill. Opposition leader Sali Berisha made a provocative statement, declaring that the ruling lawmakers “deserve tear gas” before his microphone was abruptly cut off.
As the parliamentary session descended into chaos, fellow opposition members surrounded Berisha, brandishing blue flares—the official color of their party—and displaying images of protesters who had been injured by police rubber bullets.
Albania has recently been engulfed in protests led by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama. The demonstrators cite issues such as government corruption, underfunded schools, widespread unemployment, and a lack of economic opportunities as their primary grievances.
The protests began on October 13 and quickly escalated into violence, with demonstrators clashing with police and setting fire to government buildings. Protesters also targeted the headquarters of Rama’s ruling Socialist Party in Tirana, leading to confrontations with riot police deployed to protect the site.
In response to the unrest, Prime Minister Rama, who has been in power since 2013 and secured a fourth term last year, accused “foreign hands” of attempting to undermine Albania’s bid for European Union membership. He claimed that these external forces are manipulating the protests and represent organized crime rather than the students themselves.
To address the escalating violence, Rama announced strict new measures, including hefty fines of $6,000 for anyone participating in protests that turn violent, regardless of their direct involvement in any violent acts.
Another demonstration is scheduled for Saturday, indicating that tensions are likely to continue as the opposition and the government remain at odds.
According to Reuters, the situation in Albania reflects a growing discontent with the current administration and a demand for accountability and reform.