30.10.2026 07:30
In the Albanian Parliament, opposition MPs lit torches and smoke bombs to prevent a bill from being voted on. As the hall was covered in smoke, water bottles were thrown at Prime Minister Edi Rama. Following the tension, 4 opposition MPs were removed from the hall.
Tensions rose at the parliamentary session held in Albania's capital, Tirana, on October 29. Lawmakers from the main opposition Democratic Party launched a protest during the session where a bill concerning the Central Bank was being debated.
Opposition lawmakers seeking to block the vote blocked access to the podium and lit flares and smoke bombs. Soon red and blue smoke filled the hall, while lawmakers continued their protests by banging on desks and blowing whistles.
WATER BOTTLES THROWN AT PRIME MINISTER
At the session also attended by Prime Minister Edi Rama, opposition lawmakers reacted to the government's stance toward the protests.
During the session, water bottles and various objects were thrown toward Rama. Opposition lawmakers chanted slogans demanding Prime Minister Rama's resignation.
Despite the tension, lawmakers from the ruling Socialist Party continued the voting process on the bill concerning the Central Bank.
FOUR LAWMAKERS REMOVED FROM THE HALL
Following the incidents in parliament, Speaker Niko Peleshi decided to remove four opposition lawmakers from the session.
The lawmakers named Xhelal Mziu, Bledi Himçi, Ivi Kaso, and Bledion Nallbati were removed from the hall due to their actions during the session.
Peleshi also cut off opposition leader Sali Berisha's speech on the grounds that it incited violence and banned him from speaking for the remainder of the session.
OPPOSITION LEADER'S MICROPHONE TURNED OFF
Democratic Party leader Sali Berisha sharply criticized the government and security forces in his speech at the podium.
Berisha accused ruling party lawmakers, arguing that police intervening in the protests used excessive force against young people.
The opposition leader claimed that ruling party lawmakers deserved tear gas, plastic bullets, and violence. After Berisha's remarks, his microphone was turned off.
Other opposition lawmakers continued their protests by carrying photographs of demonstrators they claimed were injured in the police intervention.
STREET PROTESTS MOVED INTO PARLIAMENT
In the student-led demonstrations that have continued in Albania since mid-October, Prime Minister Edi Rama's resignation is being demanded.
The protests, which began over problems in the education system, unemployment, and corruption allegations, spread from the capital, Tirana, to other cities.
More than 350 people were injured in clashes between demonstrators and security forces, and dozens of protesters were detained.
While the opposition argues that police used disproportionate force against demonstrators, the government took new measures against violent incidents during the protests.
Prime Minister Edi Rama, who has been in power since 2013 and is serving his fourth term, responded to calls for resignation by inviting students to dialogue.