TIRANA, Albania — Thousands of Albanian opposition supporters took to the streets again Sunday to demand new elections despite repeated calls from Western powers to sit down for talks.
The center-right Democratic Party-led opposition supporters gathered at the main government building accusing center-left Socialist Party Prime Minister Edi Rama of corruption and links to organized crime. They want Rama to resign and an interim Cabinet to take the country to an early parliamentary election.
“The whole of our battle is for a free and fair election, for European values,” said Democratic leader Lulzim Basha.
Flares, smoke and firebombs were hurled at the government building during Basha’s speech.
Opposition protests have been going on since mid-February. Rama’s Socialists say the opposition is hurting the country’s image as European Union leaders decide whether to launch full membership negotiations with Tirana.
