Edi Rama posted about the dramatic scenes in Tirana, using wryness and clown emojis.
Alice Taylor
Protesters have asked for the resignation of Rama, opposition leader Sali Berisha and the entire government, as well as the installation of a non-political technical government and sweeping changes to the electoral code and laws related to protected areas and investment, which activists say will bring about a “new Albania.”
Following tussles between police and protesters outside Parliament on Tuesday, police erected metal fences to ensure the safety of members of parliament as they arrived for a plenary session on Thursday, heightening tensions and resulting in further confrontations with protesters.
One protester smashed a police car windscreen with a metal barrier while others threw rocks and paving tiles at police. Footage has also emerged on social media of police dragging protesters and hitting them with batons. Opposition Democratic Party deputy, Jorida Tabaku, condemned on Instagram the “insane images of police violence,” calling it unacceptable.
While Rama — who has alleged foreign interference in the movement — has offered to enter into dialogue with some protesters about their environmental concerns, he has refused to resign. Protesters say they will continue to protest until their demands are met.
