Albanian Opposition Disrupts Parliament Session over Alleged Authoritarianism and Corruption Claims

Opposition leaders accuse Socialist party of tyranny amid investigation into Democratic Party for corruption and money laundering, with proceedings taking place despite disruptions.

Albanian opposition lawmakers, notably from the Democratic Party, disrupted a Parliament session, stacking chairs and throwing smoke firecrackers as part of their protest against the alleged authoritarian rule of the governing Socialist Party.
Despite the disruption, the session proceeded in the 140-member chamber with 73 Socialist lawmakers voting in favor of 21 draft laws.
The protests in Parliament began shortly before prosecutors accused Sali Berisha, a leader within the Democratic Party, of corruption related to a land-buying scheme currently under legal investigation.
Prosecutors allege that Berisha granted financial favors to his son-in-law, Jamarber Malltezi, who has been arrested on corruption and money laundering charges. Berisha insists both he and Malltezi are innocent, suggesting the accusations are politically motivated.
Berisha, who previously served as Albania's Prime Minister (2005-2013) and President (1992-1997), and his family have been barred from entering the United States and the United Kingdom due to allegations of involvement in corruption. Despite this, Berisha was reelected as a lawmaker in the April 2021 parliamentary election.