TIRANA, Albania — On Tuesday, the Albanian opposition organized a series of protests across the nation, effectively obstructing key roadways in a rally that demanded the establishment of a technocratic caretaker government prior to the parliamentary elections set for next year.

Lawmakers from the opposition spearheaded demonstrations at significant entry points in the capital, Tirana, as well as five other crucial locations throughout the country, intentionally halting traffic. The rally’s slogan, “Civil blockade, Today, or never!” was prominently displayed on the website of the primary opposition group, the Democratic Party. In Tirana specifically, opposition officials parked their vehicles to halt traffic for a span of three hours, while in various other regions, supporters conducted sit-ins or even set tires ablaze.

Under the leadership of former Prime Minister Sali Berisha, the conservative Democrats have consistently accused Prime Minister Edi Rama’s Socialist Party of engaging in corrupt practices, tampering with prior elections, and encroaching on judicial powers.

Authorities have cautioned that blocking traffic constitutes a criminal action, with potential sentences reaching up to three years in prison. A significant deployment of police was made to safeguard government properties, maintain traffic flow, and uphold public order.

In response to the recent apprehensions of Berisha and former President Ilir Meta on separate corruption allegations, the Democrats, along with their opposition coalition, have been vocal about their stance, claiming that these legal actions are politically motivated. Additionally, another Democratic official, Ervin Salianji, is currently serving a prison sentence for slander.

Since losing power in 2013, the Democrats have resorted to violent protests against the government. As Albania prepares for parliamentary elections next spring, Prime Minister Rama’s Socialists appear favorably positioned to win, in part due to the fragmentation within the opposition.

Both the United States and the European Union have called on the opposition to engage in dialogue with the ruling government, emphasizing that violent demonstrations are counterproductive concerning the country’s aspirations for integration into the EU, which comprises 27 member states. In 2020, the European Union agreed to initiate full membership negotiations with Albania, and earlier this month, discussions commenced regarding the country’s alignment with EU objectives pertaining to the rule of law, the operation of democratic institutions, and the battle against corruption.