Protesters made an attempt to throw petrol bombs at a government building, causing injuries to multiple police officers.
In the Albanian capital of Tirana, a gathering of individuals initiated by the opposition Democratic Party resulted in the launching of Molotov cocktails and fireworks towards the office of Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama. The demonstration, triggered by corruption accusations against the deputy prime minister, attracted thousands of participants, as outlined by Albanian Daily News.
According to Ora News, “several” police officers sustained injuries, with three protesters reportedly taken into custody. Law enforcement authorities responded by deploying tear gas and water cannons to disperse the crowd as they moved towards the Parliament building in Tirana.
Albania has been grappling with a worsening political crisis following allegations by anti-corruption prosecutors in late October against Deputy PM Belinda Balluku for alleged interference in significant state contracts. The accusations suggest she manipulated public tenders to benefit specific companies involved in infrastructure projects like Tirana’s Greater Ring Road and the Llogara Tunnel. Balluku has refuted the allegations, dismissing them as “insinuations,” “half-truths,” and “lies.”
Despite her removal from office in November by SPAK (Albania’s Special Court Against Corruption and Organised Crime), Balluku was reinstated by the constitutional court last month, prompting widespread protests. Efforts by SPAK to lift her parliamentary immunity for potential arrest have been postponed until January 28.
Prime Minister Rama has stood by Balluku, criticizing her removal as setting a “unique and dangerous precedent.” He expressed his view to Politico that errors by the anti-corruption agency are expected, given its new and independent status, acknowledging that mistakes have been made.
Opposition leaders have announced their intention to persist with anti-government demonstrations.