Opposition forces in Albania are currently staging a nationwide protest in the capital city of Tirana. The primary demand of the conservative opposition is the replacement of the current government with a technocratic caretaker Cabinet before the upcoming parliamentary election next year. The opposition, led by the Democratic Party, accuses the leftist government of electoral manipulation and the usurpation of powers, particularly within the judiciary.
The recent protests were triggered by the imprisonment of a Democratic Party member on charges of slander, which the party claims to be politically motivated. The convicted member had previously called for the resignation of the interior minister over allegations that were later proven to be false. Despite appealing the conviction, the member is currently serving a one-year sentence.
The opposition is advocating for a Cabinet composed of technocrats and is also demanding the release of former Prime Minister Sali Berisha from house arrest, who is under investigation for alleged corruption. The Democrats have a history of accusing the governing Socialist Party, led by Prime Minister Edi Rama, of electoral fraud and power abuse, leading to violent protests since 2013.
The protest began with a gathering in front of the main government building, followed by the blockage of traffic at key intersections in Tirana. The demonstration escalated with the burning of a vehicle tire near the presidential office. To maintain order, hundreds of police officers have been deployed to protect government institutions, resulting in traffic disruptions in downtown Tirana.
Amidst the unrest, the U.S. Embassy in Tirana has cautioned its citizens to avoid the protest areas. The European Union and the United States have called for dialogue between the opposition and the government, emphasizing that violence will not aid Albania's integration into the EU. Albania is set to hold parliamentary elections next year, with the EU commencing membership negotiations in 2020 and upcoming discussions on aligning with EU standards regarding the rule of law, democratic institutions, and anti-corruption measures.
