A protest against government corruption ended in confusion and confrontation in the Albanian capital, Tirana, this Tuesday (10).
Thousands of people participated in the event that demanded the vice-prime minister’s resignation.
Protesters threw Molotov cocktails at a government building and police responded with water cannons.
This is the latest in a series of violent acts that threaten the stability of the long term of Prime Minister Edi Rama, who has been in power since 2013.
Political tensions rose in December after Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku was accused of allegedly interfering in public tenders for major infrastructure projects and favoring certain companies. She denies everything.
Thousands of people went to Tirana’s main square with flags and banners. Protesters chanted “Rama, go home! This corrupt government must resign!”
Special police officers in anti-riot equipment were deployed to protect the building.
The Special Public Prosecutor’s Office, tasked with combating corruption and organized crime, asked parliament to revoke Balluku’s parliamentary immunity this week to enable his arrest.
It is unclear when parliament, where Rama’s ruling party holds a majority, is expected to vote or even if there will be a vote.
