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Clashes Erupt in Tirana as Corruption Allegations Rock Albanian Government

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Police in Tirana fired tear gas and water cannon at opposition protesters after demonstrations turned violent amid corruption allegations against Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku. Protesters hurled petrol bombs and fireworks toward the office of Prime Minister Edi Rama, as tensions escalated in the capital. The unrest follows an investigation into Balluku over alleged interference in public tenders for major infrastructure projects, accusations she has denied.

The indictment, brought by Albania’s Special Prosecution Office, has intensified political tensions that have been simmering since December. An anti-corruption court has suspended Balluku from office, and prosecutors are seeking to have parliament lift her immunity to allow her arrest. The governing Socialist Party of Albania, which holds a strong parliamentary majority after winning a fourth consecutive term, has yet to signal when or if such a move will take place.

Thousands of supporters of the opposition Democratic Party of Albania gathered in Tirana, chanting slogans against Rama and demanding his resignation. Party leader Sali Berisha warned that the government would be held accountable. The unrest comes as Albania pushes to join the European Union by 2030, with the bloc urging stronger efforts to combat corruption and organized crime.

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Violent Protests Erupt in Tirana Over Corruption Allegations

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Thousands of anti-government protesters clashed with police in Albania’s capital Tirana on Tuesday evening, demanding the resignation of Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku over alleged corruption. Demonstrators threw petrol bombs at a government building, while police responded with water cannon and riot units to disperse the crowds gathered near the prime minister’s office.

The unrest follows a December indictment by Albania’s Special Prosecution Office, which accused Balluku of interfering in public tenders for major infrastructure projects and favouring certain companies. Balluku has denied the allegations. The protests mark the latest escalation in political tensions that challenge Prime Minister Edi Rama’s administration, which has been in power since 2013.

Protesters in the capital’s main square waved flags and chanted slogans calling for the government’s resignation, as heavily armed police guarded key buildings. Prosecutors have asked parliament to lift Balluku’s immunity to allow her arrest, though it remains unclear when or whether lawmakers—where Rama’s party holds a majority—will vote on the request.

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Protests Erupt in Albania Over Deputy Prime Minister’s Corruption Charges

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Protests erupted in Tirana, Albania, as demonstrators hurled petrol bombs at the government building housing Prime Minister Edi Rama’s office. The unrest follows the indictment of Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku on allegations of corruption, accused of using state funds to favor certain companies in major infrastructure projects.

Balluku, who also leads the Ministry of Infrastructure, dismissed the accusations in parliament as “mudslinging, insinuations, half-truths and lies,” and pledged full cooperation with the judiciary. The Special Prosecution Office has requested that parliament lift her immunity to allow for her arrest, though no vote date has been confirmed.

Police in riot gear protected the government building but did not actively confront protesters. Citizens expressed outrage over alleged theft of tens or hundreds of millions of euros, demanding Balluku’s resignation amid escalating political tensions.

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