Albanian opposition MPs disrupt parliament with smoke flares

Summarised from 4 outlets · Updated 29 Oct, 18:26 · Archive

Opposition MPs in Albania have set off smoke flares in parliament in protest at police violence against demonstrators.

Opposition Democratic Party MPs set off smoke flares in Albania's parliament on Thursday and displayed photographs of protesters they said had been injured by police. The disruption occurred during a vote on central bank legislation, which governing Socialist Party lawmakers continued despite the protests. Four opposition MPs were expelled from the chamber.

The parliamentary protest follows weeks of demonstrations calling for Prime Minister Edi Rama's resignation. Opposition lawmakers accuse police of using excessive force against people taking part in the protests, although these allegations are not independently verified by the images presented. Similar scenes occurred on 22 October, when opposition MPs surrounded the Speaker's podium, displayed photographs of students they said had been beaten by police and threw objects at Speaker Niko Peleshi. Those clashes forced parliamentary guards to intervene as microphones were torn from desks and chairs were overturned.

How it is being reported

• Albanian opposition lawmakers disrupt parliament with smoke flares and furious attacks on socialist PMSali Berisha's microphone was cut after he declared ruling lawmakers "deserve tear gas" as Democratic Party members lit flares inside parliament.Fox News · 29 Oct, 20:04
• Albanian opposition storms parliament, sets off flares and smoke bombsOpposition lawmakers disrupt parliament session, accusing prime minister of downplaying ongoing antigovernment protests.Al Jazeera · 29 Oct, 18:11
• Albania: opposition MPs disrupt parliament with smoke flaresOpposition MPs disrupted a parliamentary session in Albania by brandishing smoke flares and displaying photographs of injured protesters. They accused police of using violence against demonstrators demanding Prime Minister Edi Rama's resignation.Euronews · 29 Oct, 14:08
• Albanian MPs set off flares in parliament after weeks of anti-government protestsOpposition politicians in Albania have set off flares in the country's parliament following weeks of violent anti-government protests.Sky News · 29 Oct, 13:45

In this story: Edi Rama · Democratic Party · Socialist Party · Albania · Niko Peleshi

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log