Tension in the Albanian Parliament

The tension first arose before the session began, during the security unit's screening of the lawmakers.

Opposition lawmakers, who have previously obstructed parliamentary sessions using various methods, placed chairs in front of the podium and set off a smoke bomb during today's session.

The smoke bomb caused a small-scale fire in the general assembly hall.

In the session, which lasted approximately 5 minutes, 73 lawmakers in the 140-seat parliament voted "yes" in the vote held on the 2024 budget.

The session, which was also attended by Prime Minister Edi Rama, was adjourned by Speaker of Parliament Lindita Nikolla due to the tension.

The voting on the 2024 budget negotiations, which envisions public spending of over 7 billion euros, will continue at a later time in the parliament.

In the Albanian Parliament, which has been the scene of similar tensions before, 8 opposition lawmakers had previously been suspended from parliamentary activities for 10 days.

Opposition lawmakers had previously obstructed the start of sessions by occupying the area reserved for ministers and parliamentary officials to sit.

Lawmaker and former Prime Minister Sali Berisha, who does not belong to any parliamentary group, had claimed that legislative activities were being obstructed and demanded that "this right be returned to them."

Claiming that the parliament has "turned into the personal institution of Prime Minister Edi Rama and Speaker of Parliament Lindita Nikolla," opposition lawmakers state that they will continue their actions in the parliament to defend their constitutional rights with all their might.

News Source: AA