TIRANA (Albania), February 18 (SeeNews) – The leader of Albania's biggest opposition party said they will propose that their representatives leave parliament in order to trigger a snap vote, after thousands marched in Tirana to demand the resignation of Socialist prime minister Edi Rama over the weekend.
"I will propose to the Democratic Party’s parliamentary group to give up their mandates," party leader Lulzim Basha said in a video file posted on Facebook on Sunday.
Rama is linked to organized crime and is hindering Albania's EU integration, Basha said during the protest, adding that the country should go through an early election in order to create a new government that will lead Albania towards EU membership.
Basha said that the decision was motivated by the message given by citizens in the protest march on Saturday. The protest called by opposition parties over alleged corruption turned violent as protesters tried to storm the building where Rama's office is situated, demanding the resignation of the prime minister and the holding of early general elections.
A group of protesters broke through the police cordon around Rama's office, attempting to enter the building but was dispersed by police who used tear gas to restore order. Several protesters, including journalists, were inured, local media reported.
During the protest, police arrested 15 protesters accused of violent acts while seven were declared wanted, Tirana-based Top Channel reported.
The US embassy and the delegation of the EU to Albania condemned the violence in separate statements.
“The United States Embassy strongly condemns the violence and destruction taking place during today’s protests in Tirana,” it said in a press release on Saturday.
“The European Union Delegation and Member States Embassies in Tirana call on all sides to show immediate restraint. The right of the citizens to express themselves through peaceful protest is a core value of a modern European democracy. However, damaging public property and resorting to violence are not acceptable. We urge all sides to do their utmost to avoid further violence and disruption,” the EU said.
According to Albania’s constitution, an early election can be called only if the government loses a vote of no-confidence in parliament.
Albania was granted EU candidate status in 2014 and hopes to launch membership negotiations later this year.