Albanian Opposition Unleashes Smoke Flares in Parliament

Albanian politics entered a new phase of volatility on Thursday when opposition members turned a parliamentary session into a visual spectacle. The chamber filled with colored smoke as lawmakers sought to draw attention to their grievances.

Members of the Democratic Party blocked access to the podium during a vote on a central bank bill. They held blue flares, the official color of their party, and displayed images of protesters who had been injured by police. Opposition leader Sali Berisha called the ruling lawmakers criminals before his microphone was cut off.

Berisha argued that the ruling party deserved tear gas and rubber bullets rather than the young people bearing the brunt of the conflict. He stated that the ruling lawmakers deserved cracked skulls and broken bones.

The parliamentary disruption follows a period of intense street unrest that began on Oct. 13. Student-led demonstrations have demanded the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama. Protesters cite alleged government corruption, underfunded schools, and widespread unemployment as their primary grievances.

The protests have spread from Tirana to several other cities. Violence has marked the movement, with demonstrators clashing with police and setting fire to government buildings. Protesters also targeted the headquarters of Rama’s Socialist Party. Rama, who has governed since 2013 and secured a fourth term last year, has blamed foreign hands and organized crime for manipulating the movement.

To curb the violence, Rama introduced strict new measures. These include $6,000 fines for anyone participating in a protest that turns violent, regardless of whether they personally commit acts of violence. Another demonstration is scheduled for Saturday.