Albanian opposition MPs disrupt parliament with flares after weeks of anti-government protests

Opposition politicians in Albania have set off flares in the country's parliament following weeks of violent anti-government protests.

The demonstrations were called by students who have been demanding the resignation of Prime ‌Minister Edi Rama.

Members of the Democratic Party of Albania also blocked access to ​the podium as proposed legislation on the Central Bank was being voted on.

The incident occurred as opposition leader Sali Berisha told the chamber: "Ruling lawmakers are criminals and ​they deserve tear gas, rubber bullets, cracked skulls ‌and broken bones, not the young people."

Other opposition members surrounded him during the speech, holding photos of protesters injured by rubber bullets.

Some held up blue flares, the colour of their ⁠party. The microphone was cut off before Mr Berisha finished his remarks.

Since mid-October, the Albanian capital of Tirana, and other cities have seen student-led demonstrations, fuelled by anger ⁠over perceived government corruption, a lack of jobs and poor education standards.

Demonstrators demanding Mr Rama's resignation set fire to government buildings and banks last week, smashed shop windows and pulled up paving ‌stones to throw at police.

Opposition MPs accuse police of using excessive force against those protesting, although the allegations have not been independently verified.

It's the biggest challenge to the authority of the country's leader, who is now in his fourth term after taking power in 2013.

The summer saw months of largely peaceful protests against a luxury coastal development backed by US President Donald Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner.

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On Sunday, Mr Rama ​introduced new measures to curb violence, including fines of ​500,000 lek (£4,631) for anyone taking part in a protest that turns ⁠violent, even if they do not personally commit acts of violence.

This week the protests have mostly been peaceful, and another is planned for Saturday.

Mr Rama has again called on ​students for dialogue and introduced new economic measures such as ​cheaper fuel and more money for poor families in an attempt to stop the violence in the streets.

(c) Sky News 2026: Albanian opposition MPs disrupt parliament with flares after weeks of anti-government protests<