Thousands rally in Tirana as anti-government protests persist
Thousands of people gathered in Tirana, Albania, on Saturday for a fresh anti-government protest, with police firing tear gas to disperse the crowd. The rally was the latest in a series of clashes between police and protesters since mid-October.
The protesters, who had been called to attend by organisers, targeted government buildings and were met with a stern warning from Prime Minister Edi Rama, who pledged a sustained response from the authorities. Rama accused those who glorify violence of facing a prolonged and persistent response from the state.
The protests, which started in May, have been sparked by a luxury hotel project linked to US President Donald Trump's family, which has caused irreparable damage to Albania's coast. The demonstrations have since morphed into a broader push against corruption, with demands for Prime Minister Rama to step down.
The protesters, who have distanced themselves from any political party, carried signs accusing both Rama and opposition leader Sali Berisha of corruption. They chanted "Rama in prison" and "Berisha in prison", blaming the entire political class for the crisis.
