Current:Home > NewsAlbania’s opposition tries to disrupt a parliament session in protest against ruling Socialists-LoTradeCoin
Albania’s opposition tries to disrupt a parliament session in protest against ruling Socialists
View Date:2024-12-23 23:45:47
TIRANA, Albania (AP) — Albanian opposition lawmakers on Thursday caused commotion in Parliament, trying to disrupt a session in protest against what they say is increasingly authoritarian rule by the governing Socialists.
Democratic lawmakers blocked left-wing Socialists of Prime Minister Edi Rama from taking their seats and stacked chairs on top of each other in the central hall. The Democrats threw smoke firecrackers and even pushed and shoved some of the Socialists.
However, the session in the 140-member chamber later went ahead and 73 Socialist lawmakers voted in favor of 21 draft laws.
Sali Berisha, leader of one group in the heavily divided center-right Democratic Party, described the melee in parliament as a “temporary strike” and said the Democrats would continue with such actions as long as “the shameful parliament” keeps ploughing ahead.
“They did not respect our strike,” he said of the Socialists.
The parliament disturbances first started two weeks ago, two days before prosecutors accused Berisha of the Democratic Party of corruption because of a land-buying scheme that’s now under legal investigation in the capital of Tirana.
The prosecutors in the case allege the 79-year-old Berisha granted financial favors to his son-in-law, 50-year-old Jamarber Malltezi. Berisha last month said the prosecutor’s office in charge of cases against senior officials or major cases had ordered him not to leave the country.
Malltezi has been arrested on corruption and money laundering charges. The prosecution claims he exploited Berisha’s position as prime minister to buy land in Tirana owned by private citizens and the country’s defense ministry and build 17 apartment buildings.
Berisha has said that both he and Malltezi are innocent, and claims the case is politically motivated and that his opponent, Rama, is behind it.
The Democrats also on Thursday accused Interior Minister Taulant Balla of links to organized crime, without offering evidence for their claim.
The opposition has said it would radicalize its protests but did not elaborate.
Berisha served as Albania’s prime minister from 2005-2013 and as president from 1992-1997. He was reelected as a lawmaker for the Democratic Party in the April 2021 parliamentary election.
Berisha and his family members were barred by the United States in May 2021 from entering the country, and also the United Kingdom in July 2022 because of alleged involvement in corruption. Berisha is the fourth top Albanian official to be barred from entering the U.S. because of alleged involvement in corruption.
Post-communist Albania has struggled to fight corruption, which has impeded the country’s democratic, economic and social development.
___
Follow Llazar Semini at https://twitter.com/lsemini
veryGood! (9799)
Related
- Spurs coach Gregg Popovich had a stroke earlier this month, is expected to make full recovery
- Scam artists selling bogus magazine subscriptions ripped off $300 million from elderly
- Save Big in Lands' End 2024 Labor Day Sale: Up to 84% Off Bestsellers, $5 Tees, $15 Pants & More
- Michigan power outages widespread after potent storms lash the state
- Cruise ship rescues 4 from disabled catamaran hundreds of miles off Bermuda, officials say
- Pennsylvania ammo plant boosts production of key artillery shell in Ukraine’s fight against Russia
- Children's book ignites car seat in North Carolina family's minivan minutes after parking
- Slow down! Michigan mom's texts to son may come back to haunt her
- Dick Van Dyke says he 'fortunately' won't be around for Trump's second presidency
- Michael Crichton estate sues Warner Bros., claims new show 'The Pitt' is an 'ER' ripoff
Ranking
- Minnesota county to pay $3.4M to end lawsuit over detainee’s death
- Cheerleader drops sexual harassment lawsuit against Northwestern University
- Museum opens honoring memory of Juan Gabriel, icon of Latin music
- Backpage.com founder Michael Lacey sentenced to 5 years in prison, fined $3M for money laundering
- Mason Bates’ Met-bound opera ‘Kavalier & Clay’ based on Michael Chabon novel premieres in Indiana
- Ben Affleck is 'not dating' RFK Jr.'s daughter Kick Kennedy, rep says
- Kadarius Toney cut by Kansas City as Chiefs' WR shake-up continues
- Mississippi wildlife officer and K-9 receive medal for finding 3 missing children
Recommendation
-
Beyoncé course coming to Yale University to examine her legacy
-
2024 Paralympics: Kate Middleton and Prince William Share Royally Sweet Message Ahead of Games
-
Who aced the NHL offseason? Grading all 32 teams on their moves
-
New Jersey man drowns while rescuing 2 of his children in Delaware River
-
Tennessee suspect in dozens of rapes is convicted of producing images of child sex abuse
-
Jury returns to deliberations in trial of former politician accused of killing Las Vegas reporter
-
Armie Hammer sells his truck to save money after cannibalism scandal
-
'Who steals trees?': Video shows man casually stealing trees from front yards in Houston