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Agence France-Presse

Thousands of opposition supporters clashed with police outside the Albanian parliament on Saturday during an anti-government protest demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama.
The socialist prime minister, in power since 2013, has been accused of corruption by his critics.

Police fired tear gas and water cannons at protesters, some of whom tried to enter the parliamentary building in the capital Tirana by forcing their way through the main entrance.
Five police officers and around 10 demonstrators and journalists required hospital treatment, mostly for breathing problems after the clashes, the health ministry said.
Protesters repeatedly tried to break through police lines.

Several windows were broken as some demonstrators threw smoke grenades and stones towards the parliament building.
“The situation is out of control,” said Lulzim Basha, an organiser of the protest and leader of the main opposition centre-right Democratic Party.
He blamed the police for having let the demonstrators get too close to the building so as to “incite violence” and allow Rama to denounce the opposition.
On Wednesday Basha had told a meeting of his supporters that “the 16th of February will be the last day in power for Rama”.

Saturday’s demonstration in the capital was the latest in a series that Basha has organised.
An opposition coalition made up of five parties, ranging from the centre right to the centre left, has accused Rama of “collusion with organised crime” and plunging “the country into corruption and poverty”.
They want him to stand aside in favour of a government of technocrats who would prepare early parliamentary elections.


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Police and protesters clash outside Albanian parliament

A Albanian opposition supporter throws an object at the door of the prime minister's office during a protest demanding his resignation, on February 16, 2019, in Tirana. Photo: AFP

(FILES) In this file photo taken on December 4, 2018, Albanian Prime MInister Edi Rama visits the Croatian PM in Zagreb. - Thousands of opposition supporters clashed with police outside the Albanian parliament on February 16, 2019, during an anti-government protest demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama. The socialist prime minister, in power since 2013, has been accused of corruption by his critics. (Photo by Damir SENCAR / AFP)

Albanian opposition supporters cover their face after police threw tear gas during a protest outside the government building in Tirana, on February 16, 2019, demanding the resignation of the Albanian prime minister. - Following a series of accusations for corruption and vote buying, the opposition demands the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama and the formation of a technical government that would prepare the groundwork for free and fair elections and severe ties with organized crime. (Photo by Gent SHKULLAKU / AFP)

An opposition supporter shouts at police officers during an anti-government rally outside the prime minister's office in the capital Tirana, Albania, Saturday, Feb.16, 2019. Thousands of Albanian opposition supporters have clashed with police in an anti-government rally to protest what they says is a corrupt and inefficient Cabinet, asking for its resignation and early elections. (AP Photo/ Hektor Pustina)

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Demonstrators call for resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama, who has been accused of corruption


Demonstrators call for resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama, who has been accused of corruption.


Police and protesters clash outside Albanian parliament

.css-1mniedq{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;}Demonstrators call for resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama, who has been accused of corruption

Demonstrators call for resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama, who has been accused of corruption