Albania: Opposition parties to hold united anti-government protests

Event

The two main political opposition parties in the country announced on Monday, January 8, that they intend to hold united protests to bring down the current government. Lulzim Basha, the head of the Democratic Party, and Monika Kryemadhi, leader of the Socialist Movement for Integration (LSI), released separate statements on Monday saying that the two parties will increase demonstrations against Prime Minister Edi Rama. Neither party has released any specific information on upcoming protests as of Tuesday, January 9; however, demonstrations are likely to occur in the coming weeks, particularly in the capital city of Tirana.

Context

Both parties held rallies in Tirana in December 2017 to protest the appointment of an interim chief prosecutor. Some of the demonstrations turned violent on December 18, with roughly 3000 people gathering outside of the parliament building and clashing with police. Opposition lawmakers also threw smoke bombs and a flare inside parliament during the session.

Political unrest has seized Albania in recent months over perceived corruption among members of its ruling Socialist Party and in the judiciary. The political opposition in Albania has accused the ruling party of attempting to influence ongoing investigations into corruption allegations facing several members of the ruling party by appointing a sympathetic chief prosecutor to the judiciary. The Democratic Party boycotted parliamentary sessions from February 2017 to May 2017 for related reasons, accusing the ruling party of corruption and of mishandling the country's poverty and drug crises.

Advice

Individuals in Albania, particularly in Tirana, are advised to monitor developments to the situation and avoid all demonstrations as a precaution due to the risk of potential associated violence.