Edi Rama

Political analysts in Tirana said they believe that internationally-mediated negotiations between the government and the opposition are needed to defuse the crisis as the country heads for parliamentary elections on June 18.

Since February 18, the opposition Democratic Party led by Lulzim Basha have been protesting in Tirana.

Three months ahead of parliamentary elections on June 18, Albania's Socialist Prime Minister Edi Rama announced the departure of four ministers, allegedly to focus on the upcoming election campaign.

Rama named the four as Interior Minister Saimir Tahiri, Health Minister Ilir Beqaj, Youth and Social Welfare Minister Blendi Klosi and Local Issues Minister Bledi Cuci.

In a letter sent to European Council President Donald Tusk ahead of the 9-10 March EU summit, Macedonian President Gjorge Ivanov warned against attempts by Western powers to impose on his country a political platform "written in Tirana", EurActiv.com reported.

Massive demonstrations take place for a second day in a row in the Albanian capital of Tirana with thousands of people from all over the country participating.

Thousands of demonstrators converged in Tirana to demand the resignation of Albania's Socialist prime minister.

The protesters, led by the opposition Democratic Party, pitched tents on February 18 outside Prime Minister Edi Rama's office to demand his resignation and for a caretaker government to take power and guarantee free elections.

Albanian opposition representatives have called on citizens to take to the streets on February 18 to participate in what they called "a big day for democracy".

Albania's main opposition party the Democratic Party, PD, will gather citizens from across the country in the capital Tirana for anti-government protests on Saturday afternoon, four months ahead of parliamentary elections set for June 18.

"Four years of arrogance, abandonment, and chaos," was the message carried by the party's promotional video for the protest.

"Sooner or later, Albania and Kosovo will have joint embassies abroad," stated Albanian PM Edi Rama, reported BGNES.

"If anyone sees in this fact the idea of a Great Albania, this is their problem. This is not a matter of a Great Albania," said Rama.

According to Rama, the establishment of joint embassies will be done in view of cutting expenses.

Ahead of parliamentary elections in June, Prime Minister Edi Rama has been taking to Facebook to say he will help people to find jobs, but he hasn't delivered on his employment promise from the previous polls four years ago, economic experts told BIRN.