OPPOSITION ACCUSES GOVERNMENT OF VIOLENCE AS CLASHES ERUPT IN ALBANIAN PARLIAMENT

TIRANA, OCTOBER 22 /SRNA/ – Scuffles broke out in the Albanian parliament today, with documents and water thrown toward the speaker as the opposition accused the government of using excessive violence against protesters and called for Prime Minister Edi Rama to resign.

During a scheduled vote, opposition lawmakers gathered in front of the parliamentary speaker's podium, demanding that the session be suspended because of the unrest. The group displayed photographs showing injuries to a protester who was allegedly beaten by police, then threw water and documents toward the speaker, triggering scuffles. Democratic Party leader Sali Berisha said the opposition had decided today to give voice to students' demands. Piro Vengu, a representative of Prime Minister Edi Rama's Socialist Party, accused the opposition of trying to use the unrest as a means of returning to power. Several hundred people gathered outside the parliament building during the session today, but no clashes were reported. Minor incidents were recorded on the streets of Tirana last night. The student-led movement has called for a nationwide rally on Saturday, demanding greater support for education and Rama's resignation over corruption allegations. More than 300 people, including many police officers, have been injured in the clashes, while dozens of protesters have been detained. Protests against the government began in May over a controversial tourism complex development project linked to the family of US President Donald Trump.