Published January 25, 2026
Clashes have erupted in Albania’s capital between police and opposition demonstrators over allegations of corruption in the Socialist government, with demonstrators demanding Prime Minister Edi Rama’s resignation.
The protests, led by opposition leader and former prime minister Sali Berisha, drew thousands to a rally in front of Tirana’s main government building on Saturday night.
Berisha, leader of the right-wing Democratic Party, called on the crowd to “unite to overthrow this government and establish a technical government to prepare for free and fair elections as soon as possible.”
Tensions escalated as a group of demonstrators marched towards parliament and tried to break through a police cordon, throwing stones and petrol bombs. At least 10 officers suffered minor injuries, police said. According to Berisha, 25 protesters were arrested.
In November, the Special Corruption Court suspended Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Baruch, a close ally of Rama, for her alleged role in a public procurement corruption case. Baruch, who also serves as infrastructure and energy minister, has denied the allegations, but Rama denounced his suspension as a “cruel act that obstructs administrative independence.”
At the request of the government, the Constitutional Court in December temporarily reinstated Baruch pending a final ruling. A parliamentary committee will on Wednesday consider a request by the Anti-Corruption and Organized Crime Prosecutor’s Office to lift immunity that would allow him to be arrested.
Organized crime and corruption remain major obstacles to Albania’s ambitions to join the European Union.
Tirana’s mayor, Elion Veljaj, was arrested in February last year on suspicion of corruption and money laundering. Two other former ministers who served under Rama are also accused of embezzlement and abuse of power. Ilir Meta, who served as president and prime minister, was arrested in October 2024 on charges of corruption and money laundering.
