Anti-government protesters battle with police in Albania
Demonstrators and riot police fought pitched battles in the centre of Tirana on Saturday for the fifth day in a row.
TL;DR
- Protesters, including students, engaged in violent clashes with riot police in Tirana for five consecutive days.
- The protests escalated into a wider anti-government movement due to corruption allegations against Prime Minister Edi Rama.
- Protesters used rocks and petrol bombs, while police responded with water cannons, tear gas, and reportedly rubber bullets.
- Thousands have participated, with some protesters expressing a desire for revolution and justifying violence.
- Prime Minister Edi Rama blames the opposition and foreign actors for the unrest, while critics suggest he has concentrated too much power.
- Investigations into corruption, including the arrest of the secret service chief and a businessman close to Rama, are ongoing.
- The protests have damaged Rama's image, and the political situation remains tense with parliamentary elections not due until 2029.