An anti-corruption rally in Tirana escalated into violent clashes on Friday, as some demonstrators threw Molotov cocktails and fireworks at government buildings, prompting police to deploy tear gas and water cannons.
The protest, organised by the main opposition Democratic Party, saw thousands gather in the Albanian capital. They demanded the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama, accusing his left-wing government of fostering corruption and economic hardship. Democratic Party leader and former prime minister Sali Berisha addressed the crowd, labelling Rama a “political corpse” and vowing to “save Albania from…poverty and corruption.”
Following speeches, a segment of the crowd moved on the prime minister’s office. According to local media reports, these individuals launched incendiary devices at the government headquarters and police lines. Law enforcement responded with crowd-control measures, including water cannons and tear gas. The confrontations continued for several hours before the area was cleared.
Interior Minister Albana Kociu condemned the actions, accusing opposition leaders of “incitement to violence” and calling on them to urge their supporters to cease actions that risk public and officer safety. Berisha, in turn, alleged the police had used tear gas against his party’s office courtyard and blamed the government for the day’s “escalation.”
This incident reflects a pattern of confrontational protests in Tirana in recent years, where demonstrators have periodically targeted state buildings with projectiles. Friday’s event concluded with police dispersing the main crowd shortly after the initial outbreak of violence. The political standoff highlights persistent tensions between the governing Socialist Party and the Democratic Party opposition over governance and accountability in the Western Balkan nation.
