Albania: MPs come to blows in Parliament amid anti-government protests

Albanian deputies came to blows on Thursday, October 22 in the hemicycle, while the opposition accused the government of violently targeting demonstrators who were demanding the departure of Prime Minister Edi Rama, after a week of unrest in the capital Tirana. During a vote on the agenda, opposition MPs gathered in front of the Speaker of Parliament's desk, demanding that the session be interrupted due to the unrest.

The group held up photos showing the face and injuries of a protester who was allegedly shot by police. Water and documents were then thrown in the direction of the president, triggering a scuffle with other parliamentarians. Such scenes are not uncommon in the Albanian Parliament, where similar incidents have already erupted in the past.

Minor incidents reported on the streets of Tirana

“The opposition deputies decided today to become the voice of the students' demands,” said Sali Berisha, leader of the opposition and leader of the Democratic Party, in a statement. Pirro Vengu, deputy of Edi Rama's Socialist Party, accused the opposition on social networks of trying to “use the unrest as a way to return to power”. On Thursday, several hundred demonstrators gathered in front of Parliament during the session, but no clashes broke out. On Wednesday evening, only minor incidents were reported on the streets of Tirana. The student-led protest movement has called for a national rally on Saturday.