Albania's opposition storms parliament: flares and smoke bombs disrupt session amid calls for prime minister to resign

Opposition lawmakers in Albania's parliament set off flares and smoke bombs on Thursday, disrupting the session. They acted in support of anti-government demonstrators who are demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama.

In the capital, Tirana, opposition leader Sali Berisha and his colleagues stormed parliament and tried, unsuccessfully, to prevent a vote on a new law governing the country's central bank.

Berisha branded the ruling lawmakers 'criminals', saying they, not the young protesters, deserved tear gas, rubber bullets, cracked skulls and broken bones. He leads the Democratic Party of Albania.

As Berisha addressed parliament, his colleagues surrounded him holding photographs of protesters allegedly injured by rubber bullets.

The protests in Albania began in May. They were triggered by Rama's preliminary approval of a luxury resort linked to Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of US President Donald Trump.

The student-led movement has since grown far bigger. Demonstrators cite economic stagnation, alleged corruption and poor education standards, together with high tuition fees.

The anti-government protests are Albania's largest in decades. They have turned violent, injuring hundreds of people, including police officers. Government buildings, banks and private buildings have also been attacked and set on fire.

Rama has been in office for 13 years. After winning a fourth term last year, he has refused to resign.

Rama has introduced fines of more than $6,000 for anyone who attends a protest that turns violent, even if they did not take part in the violence. That is six times Albania's average monthly salary of around $1,000. The measure also featured in the opposition's parliament protest and had already drawn criticism.

Rama has announced a series of measures aimed at easing the protests. According to Albania's public broadcaster, Radio Televizioni Shqiptar, the monthly scholarship stipend for students from low-income families is being increased, scholarships have been extended to master's degree students, and subsidised rent for students has also been announced.