Clashes in Albania as protesters target ruling party HQ, demand PM Edi Rama’s resignation

Violence flared in Albania as opposition protesters clashed with police outside the ruling party’s headquarters, hurling fireworks and Molotov cocktails while officers responded with tear gas and water cannons. The confrontation marked the sixth major protest demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama.

The latest demonstration escalated quickly, with protesters targeting the party’s offices and security forces deploying crowd-control measures to push them back. Organizers have framed the protests as a sustained campaign to force the prime minister from office.

The unrest comes amid mounting corruption allegations that have intensified political tensions. Those include a probe involving Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku and several former ministers. The allegations, which have not been resolved, have fed opposition demands for accountability at the highest levels of government.

With protests now recurring, Albania’s political standoff shows little sign of easing. The latest clashes underline the volatility surrounding the corruption inquiries, as the opposition presses its call for a change in leadership and authorities continue to rely on heavy crowd-control tactics in response.