Albanian lawmakers scuffle in parliament as protests continue
- Last updated: October 22, 2026 | 23:07
Albanian lawmakers grappled on the floor of parliament on Thursday, as the opposition accused the government of violently targeting protesters over a week of unrest in the capital.
Since last week, student demonstrators have taken to the streets to demand better support for education and to renew months-long calls for Prime Minister Edi Rama's resignation.
Protesters have routinely clashed with police and attacked government buildings, with more than 300 people, including many officers, injured and dozens of protesters detained.
On Thursday, during a scheduled vote, opposition MPs gathered in front of the speaker's podium, calling for the session to be stopped because of the unrest.
The group held pictures showing the face and wounds of a protester allegedly injured by officers. Water and documents were lobbed towards the speaker, triggering a scuffle with other parliamentarians.
Dramatic scenes in the Albanian parliament are not unusual, with similar scenes erupting in the past and flares lit in the chamber at least twice.
"Opposition MPs decided today to serve as the voice for the demands of the student protests," Sali Berisha, longtime opposition leader and head of the Democratic Party, said in a statement.
"This parliament cannot continue; it lacks legitimacy."
Socialist Party MP Pirro Vengu, from Rama's ruling party, in a post on social media accused the opposition of trying to "use the unrest as a path to return to power".
Several hundred protesters gathered outside parliament on Thursday during the session, but no clashes were reported.
The protesters have clearly distanced themselves from any political party, and regularly carry signs accusing both Rama and Berisha of corruption.
On Wednesday evening, only minor sporadic incidents occurred on the streets of Tirana. But the student-led protest movement has called for a national rally on Saturday.
Anti-government protests in the Balkan nation began in May over a controversial resort development linked to US President Donald Trump's family.
But anger over the development has morphed into a broader push against corruption, amid ongoing demands that the prime minister step down.
Agence France-Presse