European capital rocked by violent protests as government corruption probe fuels unrest

Fox News - WorldCenter-RightEN 3 min read 100% complete by Chris MassaroFebruary 13, 2026 at 03:38 PM

AI Summary

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Violent anti-government protests erupted in Tirana, Albania, this week, driven by a corruption scandal involving Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku. Thousands of protesters, mobilized by the main opposition party, demanded Balluku's resignation after she was indicted for allegedly favoring a company in a construction tender. Despite being suspended by a special court, Balluku was reinstated by the Constitutional Court, a move that fueled public outrage. Critics accuse Prime Minister Edi Rama of autocratic rule and enabling corruption, further eroding public trust in Albanian institutions. The protests highlight long-standing concerns about government corruption in Albania.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

UN 30% Italy 30% United States 40% Transparency International 40% Democratic Party 50% Constitutional Court 50% Special Court Against Corruption and Organized Crime 60% Agim Nesho 60% Tirana 70% Edi Rama ×480% Belinda Balluku ×485% Albania ×790%

Keywords

government corruption 100% anti-government protests 90% political scandal 80% resignation 70% edi rama 60% belinda balluku 60% public funds misuse 50% lack of accountability 50% albania 40% organized crime 40%