Anti-government protesters clash with police in Albania

Thousands of Albanian opposition supporters protesting the country’s cost-of-living crisis clashed with police on Saturday in front of Prime Minister Edi Rama’s office.

The protesters had gathered to protest against corruption, rising poverty and a growing number of people leaving the country.

They blamed the country’s crisis on the center-left government and called for the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama of the ruling Socialist Party.

The protest was mostly peaceful but after about three hours some broke the police line and sprayed red paint on the main doors of the government building.

Others lit candles to memorize two people that died in police custody last year.

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Police intervened and at least one protester was taken away.

“Just as 32 years ago, the world sees us as people (arriving in) small boats,” said Sali Berisha the leader of the opposition Democratic Party, referring to the increasing number of Albanians reaching Britain.

British ministers say Albanians are behind a surge of migrants crossing the English Channel and that some of them are involved in organised crime.

The protest is seen in Albania as an attempt by Berisha to flex his muscles before local elections in May 2023.

Berisha, who has previously served both as president and prime minister, was barred in 2021 from entering the United States over alleged corruption. He denies any wrongdoing.

Albania has seen an 8% price hike this year, especially for basic food and fuel following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Opposition supporters have also blamed Rama for the thousands of young men who leave the country each year in search of a better life.

Zainab Sa’id