The violence erupted Tuesday night in central Tirana during a demonstration by thousands of opposition supporters demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama’s government, the Associated Press reported. Riot police used tear gas and water cannon against protesters who threw Molotov cocktails and flares.
Police said 16 protesters were treated at a hospital for burns and other injuries. Police also said 13 protesters were arrested as the clashes continued.
The demonstration was attended by thousands and drew police deployment on a large scale, with the Associated Press reporting that more than 1,300 officers were deployed to ensure security. It was the third such anti-government demonstration in recent months calling for Rama to step down.
The unrest also reflects a wider dispute inside Albanian politics over corruption allegations involving Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku, who is also the minister for energy and infrastructure. Anti-corruption prosecutors have accused Balluku of interfering in public procurement for construction projects to favor certain companies, and they have called for her immunity to be lifted.
Rama has resisted calls to dismiss Balluku, and growing demands have targeted the immunity process itself, which can only be changed through a parliamentary vote, according to the Associated Press account. In the meantime, opposition leaders continued to push for political pressure alongside legal efforts.
Sali Berisha, the leader of the Democratic Party and a former prime minister who has also faced corruption charges, described Tuesday’s protest as a “peaceful uprising.” Speaking at the demonstration, Berisha accused Rama of “declaring war on the justice system.”
The Associated Press report also included commentary from political analyst Mentor Kikia, who said he saw little likelihood of major change resulting from the protests. Kikia argued that many voters remain distrustful and that people have “consistently voted for the lesser evil” to remove “the greater evil” from power, including the idea that a leadership change would not resolve corruption concerns.
Albania’s political turbulence comes as the country seeks European Union membership, which it hopes to complete by 2027. The Associated Press reported that Albania remains under close monitoring by EU officials as part of the accession process, and that international watchdogs say the country continues to face widespread corruption.