Politics of Albania

News 24 TV channel announced that unidentified persons had sprayed bullets against the home of the father of Albania crime reporter Klodiana Lala in the early hours of Thursday.

Police confirmed the event, saying they were working to identify the attackers. There were no causalities.

In a response to a query from BIRN, it answered: "No. The regions are not yet identified as we are only talking about possibly exploring this concept," asked whether plans exist to create the so-called "Regional Disembarkation Platforms" in Albania.

Thousands of Albanians joined the anti-government protests held on Saturday in Albanian capital of Tirana, demanding resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama and Interior Minister Fatmir Xhafaj over alleged role in drug smuggling.

Protesters threw stones at the main government buildings. According to the police, 11 people were injured, mostly police officers.

Albania's opposition Democratic Party and the Socialist Movement for Integration, LSI, have finalised their preparations for a major protest on Saturday in Tirana, demanding the resignation of the Interior Minister Fatmir Xhafaj, who they accuse of engaging in drug smuggling.

Albania's Socialist government faces more protests on Tuesday after dozens of people arrested following a violent protest on Saturday are expected to appear in court accused of violence and arson.

The protest started after the government started implementing a concessionary agreement that includes 2.5-22 euros charge for use of the main road linking Albania to Kosovo.

Albania's ruling Socialist Party has been criticised over a proposal that would oblige the prosecution to submit incriminating evidence to parliament before an MP can be stripped of immunity and arrested.

Critics say the change would undermine the rule of law and endow parliament with powers that should rest with only with the courts.

After a series of debates and repeated promises, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama announced Wednesday that he received a proposal to begin building the country’s second passenger airport near the coastal city of Vlora “by this summer".

The Albanian opposition will organize a mass protest against poverty, the economic crisis and problems in the judiciary on January 27th.

Leader of the opposition Democratic Party Ljuszim Basha urged all Albanians to join the protest. According to him, "Albania currently acts as a drug nation".

Albania's two main opposition parties announced on Monday that they intend to bring down Edi Rama's centre-left government through united protests.

Albanian police on Wednesday asked the prosecution to launch criminal proceedings against 10 opposition MPs, including the chair of the Socialist Movement for Integration, LSI, Monika Kryemadhi.