Anti-gov’t protesters clash with police in Albania

By Talha Ozturk, Fatjon Cuka

BELGRADE, Serbia (AA) - Thousands of Albanians went to the streets on Saturday to demand the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama.

Demonstrators clashed with the police as they tried to enter the prime minister’s office in the capital Tirana.

Four demonstrators and two police officers were injured during the clash, according to the Albanian Ministry of Health and Social Protection.

Opposition parties, the Democratic Party of Albania (PD) and the Socialist Movement for Integration (LSI), organized the protest. They are demanding for better economic conditions.

The opposition parties are also calling for Rama's resignation and the formation of a new government that would organize early elections.

On social media, Albanian President Ilir Meta called for a nonviolent protest.

"Citizens should be free to protest and respect the institutions," Meta said.

On social media, Rama said: "This is not Albania, they are not Albanians."

Rama won a second term as Albania's PM in 2017.