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

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.

Antigovernment protests in Tirana, Albania, turned violent on Tuesday, February 11, 2026, as demonstrators demanded the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama over a corruption scandal involving Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku. Protesters threw Molotov cocktails and flares, while police responded with water cannons and tear gas. At least 16 people were injured and hospitalized, and 13 were arrested. The protests, organized by Sali Berisha, leader of the opposition Democratic Party, have been ongoing since November, fueled by allegations of Balluku's interference in government construction contracts. Demonstrators are calling for Rama and Balluku to step down and for parliament to suspend Balluku's immunity. Over 1,300 police officers were deployed to manage the demonstration.