29-10-2026
Albania’s parliament was disrupted on Thursday when opposition Democratic Party lawmakers set off smoke flares, blocked the speaker’s podium and displayed photographs of people they said had been injured by police. The protest took place during a vote on central bank legislation. Governing Socialist Party lawmakers continued with the vote despite the disruption, and four opposition MPs were expelled from the chamber.
The parliamentary confrontation is part of a broader series of demonstrations calling for Prime Minister Edi Rama to resign. Opposition lawmakers have accused police of using excessive force against demonstrators. The article notes that the allegations are not independently established by the photographs shown in parliament. The opposition MPs used the images to draw attention to their claims about the conduct of security forces.
The latest disruption followed similar scenes on 22 October. On that occasion, opposition lawmakers surrounded the Speaker’s podium and displayed photographs of students allegedly beaten by police. They also threw objects at Speaker Niko Peleshi. Clashes between rival lawmakers prompted parliamentary guards to intervene; microphones were torn from desks and chairs were overturned. The article describes recurring disorder in parliament amid political tensions over the demonstrations and allegations of police violence.
Entities: Albania, Albanian parliament, Democratic Party, Socialist Party, Edi Rama • Tone: analytical • Sentiment: negative • Intent: inform
29-10-2026
Albanian opposition lawmakers disrupted a parliamentary session on Thursday, 29 October, by setting off smoke flares, blocking the speaker’s podium and displaying photographs of protesters they said had been injured by police. The protest took place during a vote on central bank legislation. Lawmakers from the governing Socialist Party continued the vote despite the disruption, and four opposition MPs were expelled from the chamber.
The MPs belong to the opposition Democratic Party and accuse police of using excessive force against demonstrators calling for Prime Minister Edi Rama to resign. The article notes that these allegations have not been independently established by the photographs shown in parliament. The lawmakers said the images were intended to draw attention to the treatment of protesters by security forces.
The incident was part of a series of demonstrations and parliamentary confrontations. Similar scenes occurred on 22 October, when opposition MPs surrounded the podium, displayed photographs of students allegedly beaten by police and threw objects at Speaker Niko Peleshi. That confrontation escalated into clashes between lawmakers, prompting parliamentary guards to intervene; microphones were torn from desks and chairs were overturned. The article presents Thursday’s disruption in the context of continued political unrest over the protests and accusations of police violence.
Entities: Albania, Tirana, Albanian Parliament, Democratic Party, Socialist Party • Tone: neutral • Sentiment: negative • Intent: inform
29-10-2026
Albanian opposition lawmakers disrupted a parliamentary session on Thursday by setting off blue flares that filled the chamber with colored smoke and blocking access to the podium during a vote on a central bank bill. The action followed weeks of student-led protests against Prime Minister Edi Rama’s government and marked an escalation of political tensions. Opposition leader Sali Berisha accused government lawmakers of criminality and said they deserved the violence protesters had experienced, including tear gas, rubber bullets, and physical injuries. His microphone was cut off as he spoke. Other opposition members gathered around him, holding flares and showing images of protesters injured by police rubber bullets.
The protests began on Oct. 13 and have spread from Tirana to other cities. Demonstrators are demanding Rama’s resignation, citing alleged government corruption, underfunded schools, unemployment, and a shortage of economic opportunities. Clashes with police have turned violent, with protesters setting fire to government buildings and targeting the headquarters of Rama’s ruling Socialist Party. Riot police were deployed to protect the party property.
Rama, who has governed since 2013 and won a fourth term last year, blamed “foreign hands” opposed to Albania joining the European Union for the unrest. He also accused outside forces of manipulating the protest movement and said they represented organized crime rather than students. To address the violence, his government introduced fines of up to $6,000 for anyone participating in a protest that turns violent, even if that individual does not personally commit violence. Another demonstration was scheduled for Saturday.
Entities: Albania, Sali Berisha, Edi Rama, Democratic Party of Albania, Socialist Party of Albania • Tone: neutral • Sentiment: negative • Intent: inform
