Georgian protesters dance in the streets against government decisions

Albania has seen growing unrest as members of the main opposition party, the Democratic Party, organized a major protest in Tirana to express their dissatisfaction with the current government. On Monday, December 21, 2024, the activists blocked the capital's key intersections demanding the establishment of a technocratic caretaker cabinet ahead of the parliamentary elections scheduled for May 11, 2025. This protest marked the return of the party leader, Sali Berisha, who had recently been released from house arrest after accusations of corruption. The activists defied inclement weather conditions, including cold temperatures and rain, as they gathered to voice their concerns over the left-leaning government led by Prime Minister Edi Rama. They accused Rama's government of widespread corruption, manipulating elections, and abusing power regarding the judiciary. In response to the protest, hundreds of police officers were deployed to maintain order and protect government buildings by controlling traffic flow around the protest sites. The tense situation escalated after 90 minutes of protest when authorities began to disperse the crowd, resulting in clashes between law enforcement and demonstrators. The protests come on the heels of earlier unrest throughout the year, during which the opposition voiced strong objections to the arrests of Berisha and former President Ilir Meta, labeling the charges as politically motivated. Both the United States and the European Union recommended dialogue between the opposition and government, emphasizing the importance of peaceful resolution for aligning with European Union standards. Albania's aspiration to join the EU by 2030 hinges on improvements in governance and rule of law, with ongoing discussions about tackling corruption and defensive security as major focal points.