TIRANA, ALBANIA — Police in the Albanian capital unleashed tear gas and water cannons on Friday amid fierce clashes with thousands of opposition protesters demanding Prime Minister Edi Rama’s resignation. The unrest stems from explosive corruption charges against his deputy, Belinda Balluku, intensifying a political crisis that threatens Albania’s EU ambitions.
Demonstrators, mostly supporters of the opposition Democratic Party, surrounded Rama’s office, hurling petrol bombs and fireworks while chanting “Rama, go away!” and “Rama in jail.” Waving Albanian and party flags, the crowd swelled into the thousands, fueled by fury over allegations that Balluku rigged public tenders for major infrastructure projects to benefit select companies, claims she vehemently denies.
The spark ignited in December when a special prosecution unit indicted Balluku, a close Rama ally and former infrastructure minister. An anti-corruption court swiftly suspended her from office, and prosecutors now urge parliament to strip her immunity for arrest. Yet Rama’s Socialist Party, fresh off a fourth straight term victory last year, holds a solid majority and shows no rush to comply.
“Edi Rama’s days are numbered,” thundered Democratic Party leader Sali Berisha amid the chaos. “Even if they hide behind the sun, we’ll find them and bring the full force of the law.
“Rama has hit back, decrying judicial “overreach” in pre-trial detentions and vowing to protect his government. The standoff underscores Albania’s rocky path to EU membership by 2030; Brussels has repeatedly pressed Tirana to clamp down harder on crime and graft.
No serious injuries were reported, but the violence marks a sharp escalation in months of simmering tensions. Opposition leaders warn of more protests unless Balluku faces justice and Rama steps down.