Albania Protests: Demonstrators Seek Resignation Of PM Edi Rama, Shot Fireworks Towards Govt Offices

Albanian police used a water cannon to disperse protesters on Friday who joined a seventh opposition demonstration demanding the removal of Prime Minister Edi Rama. Rama’s government has come under fire over corruption allegations involving Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku. The now monthly rallies in Tirana have called for the installation of a caretaker government, which would lead the country towards early elections. Thousands of people joined the initial protest in the capital, before some of the demonstrators shot fireworks toward a government building. Balluku has been suspended but there have been growing demands that lawmakers lift her immunity from prosecution, which can only be done in a parliamentary vote. Anti-corruption prosecutors have accused Balluku, who is also minister for energy and infrastructure, of interfering in public procurement for construction projects to favor certain companies, and has called for her immunity to be lifted.