Anti-government protests in Albania (December 2025)

Anti-Government Protests in Albania were demonstrations carried out by opposition parties and their supporters in Albania between 18 and 22 December 2025, following allegations of corruption directed at Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku.

The events began on 18 December 2025 with physical disruptions inside the parliament during parliamentary sessions and continued on 22 December 2025 with large-scale street protests outside the Prime Minister’s building in the capital, Tirana.

Anti-government protest in Albania, 22 December 2025 – (Anadolu Agency)

Background

Developments in Albania intensified following public disclosure of corruption allegations against Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure Belinda Balluku. The Special Prosecution Against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK), in the course of its investigation into claims that certain companies received undue advantages in public tenders for major infrastructure projects, requested that parliamentary immunity be lifted to allow for Balluku’s arrest. During this period, the conduct of the ruling majority led by Prime Minister Edi Rama in parliament was heavily criticized by the opposition.

Before these developments, on 19 November 2025, Belinda Balluku was reinstated to her position following a decision by the Constitutional Court, after having been removed from office over corruption allegations. This reinstatement triggered political tension within the Albanian Parliament. During subsequent parliamentary sessions, members of the opposition Democratic Party (PD) voted against the government’s motion.

Protests Inside Parliament and Disruption of Sessions

18 December 2025 Parliamentary Incidents

On 18 December 2025, members of the main opposition party, the Democratic Party, carried out protest actions during an ongoing parliamentary session in the Albanian Parliament. MPs occupied seats reserved for government officials, fired signal flares and smoke devices, and blocked access to the Speaker’s podium. Physical altercations occurred between opposition MPs and parliamentary security personnel and police. Security forces intervened after these actions, which were intended to disrupt the proceedings.

Tension in the Albanian Parliament due to the reinstatement of Deputy Prime Minister Balluku, 18 December 2025 – (Anadolu Agency)

Opposition Demands

During the 18 December 2025 session, opposition MPs demanded that the details of the official allegations against Balluku be made public and that SPAK’s request for her arrest be immediately placed on the parliamentary agenda. Democratic Party leader Sali Berisha stated in remarks made within the parliamentary chamber that normal legislative activities could not continue while officials accused of corruption remained in office. On the same day, Defence Minister Niko Peleshi submitted the agenda for voting, and several draft laws were adopted.

Tension in the Albanian Parliament due to the reinstatement of Deputy Prime Minister Balluku, 18 December 2025 – (Anadolu Agency)

Mass Protests

On 22 December 2025, thousands of people gathered outside the Prime Minister’s building in the capital, Tirana, at the call of the Democratic Party. Protesters demanded the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama and accused the government of failing to take responsibility for the corruption allegations surrounding Balluku. During the protest, some demonstrators threw Molotov cocktails at the Prime Minister’s building, resulting in injuries. Police implemented security measures around the government building but did not directly intervene against the protesters.

Anti-government protest in Albania, 22 December 2025 – (Anadolu Agency)

Opposition representatives and protesters at the demonstration stated that the allegations against Balluku should not be treated merely as an isolated case but as part of a broader problem involving the misuse of public resources.

SPAK Investigations

The SPAK investigations did not remain confined to Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku. Prior to and following 22 December 2025, raids were conducted as part of a separate investigation by the National Information Agency (AKSHI) into allegations that certain officials manipulated public tenders. A house arrest order was issued against AKSHI Chairperson Mirlinda Karçanaj and her deputy Hava Delibaşi. AKSHI is the institutional body responsible for managing a large portion of the country’s digital public services through the e-Albania portal.

Statements by Political Actors

Belinda Balluku, in her statements to parliament and the public, characterized the allegations against her as “imputations,” “half-truths,” and “lies.” She affirmed her full cooperation with judicial authorities and denied all accusations.

Anti-government protest in Albania, 22 December 2025 – (Anadolu Agency)

Protest Calls

Before the 22 December 2025 protest, former Democratic Party parliamentary candidate Jola Hysaj, through social media posts, called on citizens to join the demonstration scheduled for Monday, 22 December 2025 at 18:00 outside the Prime Minister’s building. Hysaj criticized rising living costs, problems concerning labor and pension conditions, and flaws in political decision-making processes.

Anti-Government Protests in Albania (2025–2026) are a series of mass demonstrations that began in November 2025 following the launch of a corruption investigation into Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy and Infrastructure Belinda Balluku and continued intermittently until February 2026. Protesters have demanded the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama and Balluku.

^{Anti-government protest in Albania, 22 December 2025 - (Anadolu Ajansı)}" image-element-format="right" image-source="https://cdn.t3pedia.org/media/uploads/2025/12/23/Hggcig2abEdGIxbdE73pXn2Njback9sZ.jpg">

Background

The background to the anti-government protests in Albania stems from deepening corruption investigations that intensified at the end of 2025. In November 2025, during proceedings under the Special Structure for Combating Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK), allegations emerged that Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy and Infrastructure Belinda Balluku had interfered in public procurement processes and favored certain companies. These allegations were specifically linked to public acquisitions tied to major infrastructure projects.

On 19 November 2025, the Special Court for Corruption and Organized Crime ordered Balluku’s removal from office. The allegations were said to involve violations of the principle of equality in public procurement related to the Llogara Tunnel project and the fourth lot of the Tirana Bypass.

Prime Minister Edi Rama appealed the court’s decision to the Constitutional Court. The Constitutional Court issued a provisional ruling allowing Balluku to return to her post until a final decision is reached. By December 2025, political tensions had escalated, and the special prosecution unit requested parliament to lift Balluku’s immunity so she could be arrested. However, because Rama’s party holds a majority in parliament, it remained unclear when or whether a vote on lifting immunity would take place.

Balluku’s return to office and the debate over lifting her immunity intensified the opposition’s response. The main opposition party, the Democratic Party (PD), demanded the resignation of both Balluku and Prime Minister Edi Rama. Demonstrations organized by opposition leader Sali Berisha turned into anti-government protests starting on 22 December 2025.

Protests Inside Parliament and Disruption of Sessions

Parliamentary Events of 18 December 2025

On 18 December 2025, members of the main opposition party, the Democratic Party, carried out protest actions during a sitting of the Albanian Parliament. MPs occupied seats reserved for government officials, used smoke bombs and signal flares, and blocked access to the Speaker’s podium. Physical clashes occurred between opposition MPs and parliamentary security personnel and police. Security forces intervened following these attempts to disrupt the session.

^{Tension in the Albanian Parliament over the reinstatement of Deputy Prime Minister Balluku, 18 December 2025 - (Anadolu Ajansı)}" image-element-format="left" image-source="https://cdn.t3pedia.org/media/uploads/2025/12/23/Stf0Efg2P6rFuH6mQMUZzNKbijYpYdLP.jpg">

Opposition Demands

During the 18 December 2025 session, opposition MPs demanded that the detailed charges against Balluku be made public and that SPAK’s request for her arrest be immediately placed on the parliamentary agenda. Democratic Party leader Sali Berisha stated in remarks within the parliament that normal legislative activities could not continue while officials accused of corruption remained in office. On the same day, Defense Minister Niko Peleshi submitted the agenda for voting, and several draft laws were adopted.

^{Tension in the Albanian Parliament over the reinstatement of Deputy Prime Minister Balluku, 18 December 2025 - (Anadolu Ajansı)}" image-element-format="right" image-source="https://cdn.t3pedia.org/media/uploads/2025/12/23/6bKZYcbCqQzmHqhUr8kYHSdp5r5bBZ5i.jpg">

Protests of 22 December 2025

On 22 December 2025, thousands of people gathered in front of the Prime Minister’s Office in the capital Tirana at the call of the Democratic Party. Protesters demanded the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama and criticized the government for failing to take responsibility in the face of corruption allegations against Balluku. During the protest, some demonstrators threw Molotov cocktails at the Prime Minister’s Office, resulting in injuries. Police implemented security measures around the government building but did not directly intervene against the protesters.

^{Anti-government protest in Albania, 22 December 2025 - (Anadolu Ajansı)}" image-element-format="left" image-source="https://cdn.t3pedia.org/media/uploads/2025/12/23/OoBhCrVxoLwwUfDiRwmjsSVsaS575Ief.jpg">

Opposition representatives and protesters emphasized that the allegations against Balluku should not be treated as merely an isolated case but as part of a broader problem involving the misuse of public resources.

SPAK Investigations

The SPAK investigations were not limited to Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku. Prior to and after 22 December 2025, raids were conducted as part of a separate inquiry by the National Information Agency (AKSHI), which alleged that certain officials had manipulated public tenders. A house arrest order was issued against AKSHI Chair Mirlinda Karçanaj and her deputy Hava Delibaşi. AKSHI is a state institution responsible for managing the majority of the country’s digital public services through the e-Albania portal.

Protests of 10 February 2026

Anti-government protests in Tirana, 10 February 2026 – (Anadolu Agency)

On 10 February 2026, an anti-government protest was held in the capital of Albania, Tirana, at the call of the main opposition party, the Democratic Party (PD). The protest was organized amid demands for political accountability, following investigations into Prime Minister Edi Rama’s resignation and allegations against Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku. Thousands gathered in Tirana’s main square demanding Balluku’s resignation.

It was reported that the protest was called by opposition leader Sali Berisha, with demonstrators assembling around the Prime Minister’s Office and Parliament. Over 1,300 police officers were deployed on 10 February, and numerous roads in Tirana were closed to traffic.

Demonstrators threw Molotov cocktails, fireworks, smoke bombs and other objects at the Prime Minister’s Office. Police responded with tear gas and water cannons. Additionally, 22 unexploded Molotov cocktails were seized.

At least 16 police officers were injured in the clashes. According to the Tirana Police Directorate, 21 individuals were taken into custody. The Directorate stated that those detained are being investigated for charges including assault on a public official, intentional grievous bodily harm, disturbance of public order, violations related to explosive and flammable materials, damage to property by fire and resistance to a public officer.

Political Statements and Official Reactions

Anti-government protests in Tirana, 10 February 2026 – (Anadolu Agency)

Following the protest in Tirana on 10 February 2026, representatives of the government and opposition issued various statements.

Statement by Interior Minister Albana Kociu

Albanian Interior Minister Albana Kociu commented on the events during the protest, saying: “The right to protest was once again abused by a group that chose force over words, launched attacks, used violence and injured state police officers.”

Anti-government protests in Tirana, 10 February 2026 – (Anadolu Agency)

Statements by Sali Berisha

Opposition leader Sali Berisha described the protests as a “peaceful uprising.” At a previous rally, Berisha called on the crowd: “Unite to overthrow this government and establish a technical government to prepare for early free and fair elections.” Berisha also called for another demonstration on 20 February.