Albanian opposition storms parliament, sets off flares and smoke bombs

What the report says

Albania’s opposition lawmakers disrupted a parliamentary session in Tirana on Thursday by lighting flares and setting off smoke bombs, according to Al Jazeera, in an action aimed at backing street protests against Prime Minister Edi Rama. The disturbance was led by Sali Berisha, head of the Democratic Party, who accused members of the governing side of wrongdoing and tried to block a vote on a bill concerning the country’s central bank.

The article says the opposition’s move came as antigovernment demonstrations that began in May continue to build. Those protests were sparked by Rama’s preliminary approval of a luxury resort project linked to Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of U.S. President Donald Trump. Since then, the movement has broadened to include complaints about corruption, economic stagnation, education quality and high tuition fees.

Al Jazeera reported that the protests are among the largest Albania has seen in decades and have at times turned violent, with injuries reported among police officers and demonstrators. The government has responded with tougher penalties for people involved in violent protests, while also announcing measures intended to ease student grievances, including higher stipends, expanded scholarship access and subsidized rent. Rama has remained in office after winning a fourth term last year.