Albanian opposition storms parliament, sets off flares and smoke bombs
Opposition lawmakers in Albania disrupted a parliamentary session by setting off flares and smoke bombs, accusing Prime Minister Edi Rama of downplaying antigovernment protests.
The leader of Albania's opposition, Sali Berisha, and fellow lawmakers disrupted parliament in Tirana on Thursday by setting off flares and smoke bombs. They were protesting against Prime Minister Edi Rama, accusing him of downplaying ongoing antigovernment demonstrations that have turned violent and injured hundreds, including police officers.
Protests escalate
Berisha branded government members as 'criminals' during the disruption, which aimed to prevent a vote on a new law governing Albania's central bank. The protests began in May following Rama's approval of a luxury resort linked to Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law, and have since evolved into a broader movement against economic stagnation, alleged corruption, and poor education standards.
These [ruling lawmakers] are criminals and they deserve tear gas, rubber bullets, cracked skulls and broken bones, not the young people.
Government response
Rama, who has been in office for 13 years and won a fourth term last year, has refused to resign. He has introduced fines of over $6,000 for attending violent protests—six times Albania's average monthly salary. To ease tensions, Rama announced increased scholarships for students from low-income families, extended master's degree scholarships, and subsidized rent for students.
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