Thousands of people took to the streets of Tirana on the evening of the 10th of February to demand the resignation of the deputy prime minister, with clashes between police and protesters, Reuters reports.
Protesters threw petrol bombs at the government building, prompting police to fire water cannons. The demonstrations are the latest in a long series of protests that have shaken the stability of Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama’s government. He has been in power since 2013.
Political tensions rose in December when a special prosecutor indicted Rama’s deputy, Belinda Balluka, on charges of allegedly interfering in public procurement procedures for major infrastructure projects, favoring certain companies.
Balluka denies the charges.
Thousands of people gathered in Tirana’s main square, carrying flags and placards reading “Rama, go away, the corrupt government must resign.” The parliament building was guarded by a special police unit.
The special prosecutor’s office, which is tasked with fighting corruption and organized crime, has demanded that parliament lift Belluka’s immunity, allowing her arrest. It is not known when Rama’s majority parliament might vote on the issue, or if a vote will take place at all.
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