Earlier this week, protesters in Tirana, Albania, clashed violently with riot police outside government buildings. This unrest was fueled by widespread calls for the resignation of Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Baruch, following a significant corruption scandal.
The opposition party in Albania has urged citizens to protest, demanding Baruch’s resignation. She has been accused by a special prosecutor of improper influence regarding her support for a company trying to construct a 3.7-mile tunnel in southern Albania. In November, the Special Court for Corruption and Organized Crime suspended Baruch from her position. However, Prime Minister Edi Rama challenged this decision in the Constitutional Court, which reinstated her in December.
Baruch has rejected the allegations, labeling them as “slander, innuendo, half-truths and lies.” Despite this, Rama has refused to dismiss her from government.
The situation has sparked a wave of anger and protests in recent months. As Agim Nesho, Albania’s former ambassador to the US and the UN, pointed out, the protests reflect a societal pushback against what many view as Rama’s increasingly authoritarian governance.
Rama, in power for over ten years, faces accusations of consolidating authority and privatizing state institutions. His administration also grapples with ongoing claims of collaboration with organized crime and mismanagement of public resources, often benefiting clients close to the government.
The ongoing issues tied to Rama’s administration, particularly around corruption, have fostered a pervasive sentiment among Albanians that the government operates with little accountability. Sadly, both the government and opposition have faced allegations of corruption, resulting in dwindling public trust in institutions.
This recent violence erupted on Tuesday, with members of the opposition Democratic Party, who support former Prime Minister Sali Berisha, throwing stones and petrol bombs at government structures. In response, security forces used water cannons and tear gas to disperse the crowd.
According to reports, at least 16 protesters sustained injuries, and 13 were arrested during the unrest. Observers suggest Berisha, who himself has dealt with corruption accusations, is attempting to undermine the current government and reclaim power.
Albania has sought closer ties with the European Union since becoming a candidate for membership in 2014. The European Commission’s latest report notes some progress in judicial reforms but states that recent corruption allegations against Rama’s government could hinder Albania’s path toward EU membership.
Ambassador Nesho has highlighted the necessity for the US and the EU to be serious about their approaches in the Western Balkans. He warned that if attention is not given to enforcing the rule of law and addressing corruption, Albania might veer towards a dictatorship with less democratic integrity.
