TIRANA, Albania — On Tuesday, opposition lawmakers and their supporters in Albania disrupted the main thoroughfares of the capital for several hours, alleging government corruption and calling for the establishment of a technocratic caretaker Cabinet before the parliamentary elections set for 2025.
Demonstrators, numbering in the hundreds, occupied key intersections throughout Tirana, launching accusations against the Socialist Party, which is headed by Prime Minister Edi Rama. Protesters claimed that the government had engaged in corrupt practices, manipulated past elections, and compromised the integrity of the judiciary.
The protests, mostly led by opposition legislators, saw participants—including some who had traveled from other cities—engaging in occasional skirmishes with riot police who were tasked with clearing the roadways. Some protesters chose to sit in the streets, while others attempted to push back against law enforcement.
Chants of “Rama go away” echoed throughout the demonstrators’ gatherings, underscoring their discontent with the current administration.
To maintain order and safeguard government properties, a significant contingent of police was deployed. Officers utilized water cannons mounted on trucks to prevent protesters from reaching areas like City Hall and Wilson Square, and in certain instances, tear gas was used to disperse the crowd.
The conservative Democratic Party, along with its coalition allies, has also been vocally protesting the arrests of their leader Sali Berisha and former President Ilir Meta, each implicated in separate corruption allegations. They contend these charges are driven by political motives.
Flamur Noka, the Democrats’ Secretary-General and acting leader during Berisha’s house arrest, proclaimed, “The Albanians’ revolt and civil disobedience cannot be stopped.” In a moment of respect for a nearby prayer from a newly built mosque, Noka paused his conversation with the media. Albania hosts a majority Muslim population among its 2.4 million residents, who live harmoniously with various religious communities, including Catholics and Orthodox Christians.
As Albania prepares for parliamentary elections in the spring, polls indicate that Rama’s Socialists are likely to maintain power, partially due to the fragmentation within the opposition.
Both the United States and the European Union have encouraged the opposition to engage in constructive dialogue with the government, warning that violence could hinder Albania’s integration prospects with the EU.
In October, discussions began between Tirana and the EU regarding how Albania aligns itself with EU standards on legal integrity, democratic institutional functions, and anti-corruption efforts. The government, under Rama, has set an ambitious goal for EU membership by 2030.