Riots reach parliament: Brawl between coalition and opposition members in Albania

A physical confrontation broke out in the Albanian parliament between opposition and coalition members, amid protests against Prime Minister Edi Rama. An opposition member pushed the head of the ruling party's faction and pulled his microphone. The session was suspended, and protesters outside the building demanded Rama's resignation.

A physical confrontation erupted in the Albanian parliament in Tirana between opposition members and representatives of the ruling party, against the backdrop of protests against the government of Prime Minister Edi Rama. According to local reports, Flamur Noka, secretary-general of the opposition Democratic Party, pushed the head of the Socialist Party faction, Taulant Balla, and pulled his microphone while he was trying to speak. Other MPs intervened in the clash. The session was held in a tense atmosphere, and opposition members blocked the speaker's podium. Following the events, Parliament Speaker Nikola Peleshi announced the suspension of the session. Later, the Socialist majority canceled the debates and moved to vote on bills, to the dismay of opposition members, some of whom overturned chairs and threw cards at the speaker. Outside the building, protesters gathered demanding the prime minister's resignation. Albania is facing protests led by young people and students protesting corruption, lack of employment opportunities, and the state of the education system. The protests have escalated into violent clashes. Rama refuses to resign and condemns the violence.