Albania’s opposition lawmakers caused a tumultuous disruption during a Parliament session in protest of the imprisonment of one of their fellow legislators for alleged slander. The violent outburst occurred on Monday, with members of the conservative Democratic Party of Albania accusing the ruling Socialist Party of consolidating power, including over the judiciary. Since 2013, the Democrats have been staging protests against the government, claiming that all powers have been usurped. During the session, Democrats pushed microphones off tables, threw objects at the Parliament speaker and government ministers, and even set chairs on fire, denouncing the imprisonment of Ervin Salianji as politically motivated.
Ervin Salianji, a lawmaker, was sentenced to a year in prison after being accused of slander. The case dates back to 2018 when Salianji demanded the resignation of the Socialist Party’s interior minister following allegations of illegal activities involving the minister’s brother. However, the evidence presented was later found to be fabricated, leading to Salianji’s conviction. Despite the ruling, Salianji intends to appeal his sentence from prison. The Speaker of Parliament, Elisa Spiropali, condemned the disruptive actions by stating that such behaviour showed disrespect towards citizens, the law, and the country’s democratic institutions.
The leader of the Democrats, Sali Berisha, currently under house arrest on corruption charges, declared that the protest marked the beginning of the opposition’s campaign to regain power ahead of next year’s parliamentary elections. The opposition has faced internal divisions, particularly after Berisha and his relatives were barred from entering the US and UK due to corruption allegations. Berisha denies these charges, alleging that Prime Minister Edi Rama orchestrated them without providing any evidence to support his claims.
The Socialist Party, holding a majority in the 140-seat Parliament with 73 lawmakers, has been able to pass legislation with ease. Post-communist Albania continues to grapple with issues of corruption, hindering the country’s progress in democratic, economic, and social spheres. In 2020, Albania began negotiations for full membership with the European Union, aiming to address these challenges.
The opposition’s unrest underscores the deep-seated political tensions within Albania, highlighting the ongoing struggle for transparency, accountability, and democracy in the country.
Source: The Independent (Article by Llazar Semini)