Clashes mar opposition protest in Tirana as anti-government demonstrations escalate

Albania’s capital saw violent clashes on Sunday, during the sixth nationwide protest organized by the opposition Democratic Party (DP) against Prime Minister Edi Rama’s government. Thousands of supporters gathered along Dëshmorët e Kombit boulevard near the Prime Minister’s Office, marking the anniversary of the DP’s victory in Albania’s first pluralist elections on 22 March 1992, after the fall of communism.

The symbolic date framed the rally as a call for renewed political pluralism, accountability, and an end to alleged corruption.

The demonstration began peacefully, with supporters marching from the DP headquarters toward central Tirana, led by party leader Sali Berisha and senior figures. Chants criticizing the government and Rama echoed through the streets, and the protest notably avoided traditional speeches, emphasizing demands for action over rhetoric.

Tensions escalated as protesters approached restricted government zones. Demonstrators hurled Molotov cocktails, fireworks, flares, and other pyrotechnic devices at several state institutions, including the Prime Minister’s Office (Council of Ministers), ministries (Interior, Infrastructure and Energy), Parliament, the Bank of Albania, Tirana Municipality, and the National Agency for Information Society (AKSHI). Clashes spread to areas like Skënderbej Square and near Parliament, where police vehicles were targeted, and some reports noted vehicles set ablaze.

Police responded with tear gas, water cannons, and riot gear to disperse crowds and protect buildings. The intervention was particularly intense near the AKSHI building and other sites, leading to injuries on both sides. At least 16 police officers were reported injured in similar recent clashes, with arrests made. Berisha, marching at the front, was affected by tear gas, feeling unwell and briefly needing to sit; he later rejoined wearing a gas mask. Opposition MPs accused police of excessive force and injuring citizens, including Berisha, while authorities maintained the response was necessary to restore order.

The protests stem from longstanding opposition grievances: allegations of vote manipulation in prior elections, corruption scandals, and demands for Rama’s resignation and early elections. A key flashpoint remains the SPAK investigation into former Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku (a close Rama ally), accused of undue advantages in major tenders worth hundreds of millions of euros. Balluku was suspended by a special court in November 2025, dismissed by Rama in February 2026, and saw parliament (via Socialist majority) reject SPAK’s request to lift her immunity in March 2026, allowing the case to proceed without pre-trial arrest.

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From the government’s view, the violence undermines Albania’s EU integration efforts and institutional stability. Justice Minister Toni Gogu and Socialist Party leader Taulant Balla condemned the attacks on state buildings, arguing that street violence contradicts democratic norms and EU aspirations. They accused the opposition of hypocrisy for displaying EU flags while engaging in destructive acts.

The DP portrays the repeated protests as necessary pressure against perceived state overreach and corruption, insisting on a caretaker government to ensure fair elections. With no clear resolution in sight, the standoff deepens political polarization, limits dialogue, and risks further damaging Albania’s international image during a pivotal phase of EU accession talks. The coming weeks will test whether institutional channels or continued street actions prevail in addressing these deep divisions.

Sources: Albanian Daily News, IBNA, Reuters, Euronews

Caption: An opposition supporter discharges fireworks at the Prime Minister’s office during a protest against the government in Tirana, Albania, 20 February 2026. The rally follows a political crisis amid a court deadlock over the suspension of Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku and subsequent moves by Prime Minister Edi Rama to limit the powers of the Special Prosecutor (SPAK), with protesters demanding the government’s resignation. EPA/MALTON DIBRA