Opposition MPs Spark Second Fire in Albanian Parliament Within Two Weeks

On Monday, the session of the Albanian Parliament concluded prematurely as opposition members ignited a fire for the second time in the session hall within the past two weeks. This was reported by Albanian Daily News.

Tension arose at the entrance to the parliament when the security attempted to check opposition deputies from the "Democratic Party." The latter resisted, insisting that it violated established rules.

A brawl ensued in the session hall between individual opposition deputies and security personnel, and Deputy Flamur Noka set off a flare. Subsequently, the parliament speaker ejected him from the session. However, Noka refused to leave the room and set a stack of papers on fire, also attempting to ignite chairs thrown into a pile by other deputies. The parliament's security eventually extinguished the flames, and the speaker then announced the closure of the session.

Following the incident, Minister of Internal Affairs Taulant Balla called for an investigation into the deputies, reminding that intentional property damage through arson or other means could lead to up to 5 years of imprisonment.

"It is essential to ensure equal application of the law to everyone. A deputy should not evade responsibility by hiding behind immunity," stated Balla.

Earlier, opposition deputies disrupted a session on November 20 by using flares, resulting in a minor fire in the session hall. This was their protest against what they claimed to be an increasingly authoritarian rule by the Socialists.

Representatives of the Democratic opposition lit signal flares and barricaded themselves with chairs when the country's Prime Minister, Edi Rama, appeared in parliament to vote on the budget for the next year.

One of the main demands of the Albanian opposition is the creation of a parliamentary investigative commission to probe potential corruption cases involving Prime Minister Edi Rama and other officials, according to their statements. Socialists argue that the opposition's demands contradict the constitution.

On November 2, the Albanian Parliament temporarily shifted to an online session after physical clashes between opposition and majority deputies led to the interruption of the parliamentary session. The clashes occurred after the parliament rejected proposals to establish six parliamentary investigative commissions and the temporary ban of six opposition deputies from participating in sessions by the parliament speaker.