By Christina Berger
Impunity Watch Reporter, Europe
TIRANA, Albania — Tens of thousands of opposition protesters marched through Tirana on Friday, demanding the current government of Albania resign over allegations of corruption. This peaceful protest occurred almost a month after a similar protest turned into a riot and resulted in the death of four demonstrators.
Members of the opposition planned the demonstration in an effort to force Prime Minister Sali Berisha to resign and to hold an early election because of allegations of corruption and vote-rigging in the 2009 general election. Estimates of the size of the protest differ greatly, with opposition estimates at 200,000 people and police estimates at 7,000. People filled the main boulevard in Tirana, some shouting “Sali go” and “Prime Minister you are a murderer” and holding signs that said things like “Justice” and “We want early elections.” The demonstration ended outside of government headquarters, which was surrounded by dozens of police in riot gear.
Recent rallies have been in response to the publication of a video which alleges government ministers have been organizing corrupt deals. That scandal resulted in the resignation of Deputy Prime Minister Ilir Meta. Parliament lifted his immunity from criminal prosecution on Wednesday, and prosecutors are expected to file corruption charges soon. Tensions between the ruling party and the opposition Socialist party have been high since the resignation of Meta and the protest last month that left four demonstrators dead, and involved sticks, stones, and Molotov cocktails from demonstrators and tear gas, water canons, and live ammunition from the police.
In response to the opposition protest on Friday and to mark the 20th anniversary of the fall of communism in Albania, the Albanian government held a rally to show its strength on Sunday. The rally was held at a central square in Tirana during an open-air concert. Prime Minister Sali Berish spoke at the rally, assuring the crowd of tens of thousands of supporters that “no one will come to power through violence.”
Albania, one of Europe’s poorest countries, is a member of NATO and is currently seeking to join the European Union. However, the EU has stated that Albania has not done enough to cure government corruption. Both the EU and US. officials have urged restraint on both Berisha’s government and opposition forces.
“We are the only hope to give an end to the injustice and give Albania a fair governance,” Socialist leader Edi Rama said in a speech to protesters on Friday. “We do not want to come to power through demonstrations but we shall keep on demonstrating to oust this government. Here are the people asking for fresh, free and fair elections.”
For more information, please see:
AFP — Albania marks 20 years after communism — 20 Feb. 2011
AP — Albanian ex-PM loses immunity, can be investigated — 19 Feb. 2011
AFP — Tens of thousands in anti-government protest in Tirana — 19 Feb. 2011
AP — Albanians hold new anti-government protest — 18 Feb. 2011
ALBANIAN ECONOMY — Albania Opposition Plans “Anti-Mubarak” Style Rally — 18 Feb. 2011
