Albanian opposition storms parliament, sets off flares and smoke bombs
News Source
β’Thu, 29 Oct 2026 18:11:46 +0000
π° What Happened
Albania's opposition leader Sali Berisha and other lawmakers stormed parliament in Tirana on Thursday. They set off flares and smoke bombs during a session. They were backing protesters who want Prime Minister Edi Rama to resign.
Berisha, who leads the Democratic Party, called ruling lawmakers βcriminalsβ. He said they deserved tear gas and broken bones, not young people. The opposition also tried and failed to block a vote on a new central bank law.
The protests began in May after Rama gave early approval to a luxury resort linked to Jared Kushner. The movement is now the country's largest in decades and has turned violent. Hundreds of people, including police, have been hurt.
π The Backstory
The protests started with students angry about a resort deal. They now cover slow economic growth, claims of corruption and poor schools with high fees. Rama has been in office for 13 years and won a fourth term last year.
He has refused to resign. He introduced fines of more than $6,000 for anyone who attends a protest that turns violent, even if they did nothing. That is about six times the average monthly salary.
π― Why It Matters
This shows how anger over costs and corruption can boil over. It also tests whether Albania's young democracy can handle peaceful protest.
Albania's opposition leader Sali Berisha and other lawmakers stormed parliament in Tirana on Thursday. They set off flares and smoke bombs during a session. They were backing protesters who want Prime Minister Edi Rama to resign.
Berisha, who leads the Democratic Party, called ruling lawmakers βcriminalsβ. He said they deserved tear gas and broken bones, not young people. The opposition also tried and failed to block a vote on a new central bank law.
The protests began in May after Rama gave early approval to a luxury resort linked to Jared Kushner. The movement is now the country's largest in decades and has turned violent. Hundreds of people, including police, have been hurt.
The protests started with students angry about a resort deal. They now cover slow economic growth, claims of corruption and poor schools with high fees. Rama has been in office for 13 years and won a fourth term last year.
He has refused to resign. He introduced fines of more than $6,000 for anyone who attends a protest that turns violent, even if they did nothing. That is about six times the average monthly salary.
This shows how anger over costs and corruption can boil over. It also tests whether Albania's young democracy can handle peaceful protest.