FLASH
Shkruar nga Pamfleti
"Politico" has dedicated an article to the political crisis in the country and the opposition protest yesterday. Hundreds of citizens protested in front of the Prime Minister's Office about government affairs, while Molotov cocktails were also thrown. " Politico " has received reactions from Edi Rama and Sali Berisha.
Thousands of citizens protested in Tirana on Monday, in a demonstration called by the opposition, which demanded the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama following corruption allegations against Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure, Belinda Balluku. Her parliamentary immunity has so far prevented her arrest by the Special Prosecution Office against Corruption (SPAK).
The political crisis in Albania has been deepening for weeks, ever since SPAK accused Balluk of illegally interfering in important state contracts. The situation culminated on Monday evening, when Molotov cocktails were thrown during a protest in front of the Prime Minister's Office, further straining the political climate.
During the clashes with the police, four protesters were arrested, while seven others are under investigation. Two police officers were injured and one protester, according to local media, suffered severe burns after accidentally setting himself on fire.
The protest was organized by former Prime Minister Sali Berisha and the Democratic Party, following the escalation of tensions in the Albanian Parliament last week, where opposition MPs lit flares and caused physical clashes, while police were forced to intervene in the parliament hall.
Through his spokesperson, Berisha told Politico: “ We do not justify any form of violence – especially that exercised by the government. The most brutal form of violence is the systematic extortion and theft that Edi Rama and his ministers commit against the Albanian people. These protests are intended to stop this violence .”
Prosecutors and opposition MPs are demanding the lifting of Balluk's parliamentary immunity so that she can be prosecuted for corruption and abuse of office. But the ruling Socialist majority has blocked the vote, saying it will wait for the Constitutional Court's decision, expected in January.
Balluku, who also holds the position of Minister of Infrastructure, is accused of favoring certain companies in high-value public tenders, including the Tirana Ring Road project and the Llogara Tunnel. She has denied the accusations, calling them “half-truths,” “insinuations,” and “lies,” and has expressed her willingness to cooperate with justice.
On the other hand, Prime Minister Rama has come to Balluk's defense, criticizing SPAK for what he calls "normalizing arrests without trial," saying that this contradicts European democratic standards.
In an interview with Politico, Rama said it is understandable that SPAK, as a new institution with new independent powers, could make mistakes in its actions. “ It is an institution in the east that has made many mistakes ,” he said.
When asked about the protests and demands for his resignation, Rama chose not to comment, saying he does not want to attack political opponents: “ Because ultimately they are not enemies to be exposed to the world, but desperate compatriots who must be confronted and dealt with within our internal political life .”
Berisha reacted immediately, accusing Rama of election fraud and calling for him to step down: “ He no longer has any legitimacy to remain in government even for a single day ,” Berisha told Politico.
We recall that Rama was re-elected in May for his fourth term as Prime Minister of Albania. / Pamphlet
Çfarë ligjimiteti ka Berisha të qëndrojë në politikë ec e gjeje, i korruptuar po , humbês zgjedhjesh po . Vjedhês votash po , shkelës i statutit të partisë jo; gënjeshtar e i pafytyrë , dy herë deputet e dy herë kryeministër i përzanë me shqelma ; Po . Pa berishën dhe Rama do qarkullonte më lshpejt.