Fire, smoke bombs lit by opposition in Albanian parliament

Albania’s opposition used smoke bombs and started a small fire in the parliament chamber to disrupt parliamentary proceedings and prevent the voting on the 2023 budget. Chaos ensued as MPs stacked chairs and released colorful smoke, while security prevented protesters from approaching the Prime Minister’s seat. Sali Berisha, the de facto leader of the opposition Democratic Party, accused the government of stifling opposition voices. Berisha himself faces corruption charges, which he believes were orchestrated by Prime Minister Edi Rama. Rama denies these accusations.