Politics1 min read

Albanian opposition storms parliament, sets off flares and smoke bombs

By · Published by Everything Blog

In short

The legislative chaos erupted as opposition politicians accused Rama of ignoring the largest antigovernment movement Albania has experienced in decades. Protesters have targeted government buildings and financial institutions over high tuition fees, corruption, and poor living standards. In response to the unrest, Rama has introduced heavy financial penalties for participants in violent rallies while offering targeted concessions to placate the student population.

Key points

  • Prime Minister Edi Rama has refused to step down from power despite mounting civil unrest…: Prime Minister Edi Rama has refused to step down from power despite mounting civil unrest and parliamentary disruption.
  • The government has attempted to quell student anger by proposing rent subsidies and highe…: The government has attempted to quell student anger by proposing rent subsidies and higher stipends for low-income individuals.
  • Months of nationwide demonstrations have increasingly turned violent, causing hundreds of…: Months of nationwide demonstrations have increasingly turned violent, causing hundreds of injuries to civilians and police officers alike.

Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1

Opposition lawmakers disrupt parliament session, accusing the prime minister of downplaying ongoing antigovernment protests.

The leader of Albania’s opposition has branded members of the government as “criminals”, while he and fellow lawmakers disrupted a parliamentary session by setting off flares and smoke bombs.

Sali Berisha and other opposition members stormed parliament in the capital, Tirana, on Thursday in support of demonstrators, who are demanding Prime Minister Edi Rama’s resignation. Berisha and his colleagues unsuccessfully tried to prevent a vote on a new law governing the country’s central bank.

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“These [ruling lawmakers] are criminals and they deserve tear gas, rubber bullets, cracked skulls and broken bones, not the young people,” Berisha, leader of the Democratic Party of Albania, said.

The protests began in May and were triggered by Rama’s preliminary approval of a luxury resort linked to Jared Kushner,…

Politics