Albanian police used water cannons and tear gas against opposition protesters
Thousands of supporters of former Prime Minister Sali Berisha gathered to demand the resignation of Socialist Premier Edi Rama, leading to clashes with police who used water cannons and tear gas.
In a significant demonstration in Albania, thousands of supporters of the opposition Democratic Party, led by former Prime Minister Sali Berisha, gathered near the government headquarters to demand the resignation of the current Socialist Prime Minister Edi Rama. Berisha, while addressing the crowd, condemned Rama's government for plunging the country into poverty and corruption, stating that Rama was merely a 'political corpse.' The protest escalated quickly when some demonstrators began throwing firecrackers and Molotov cocktails at the government building, prompting a swift response from the police.
The police used water cannons and tear gas in an attempt to disperse the growing crowd of protesters. Following the initial confrontation, Berisha led the demonstrators toward the parliament building, where they were met with heavy police presence, including riot control units. According to reports from AFP, the clashes between police and protesters lasted approximately two hours, highlighting the volatility of the political situation in Albania. The Democratic Party claimed that around 40 of its supporters were arrested, while police reported about 30 detentions related to the protests.
This event underscores the deepening political tensions in Albania, as protests against the government continue to gain momentum, driven by dissatisfaction with the current administration's handling of economic issues and perceived corruption. The use of force by police reflects the government's readiness to confront dissent, raising concerns about the state of democracy and civil liberties in the country, as well as the potential for further unrest in the days ahead.