Tirana’s ‘big protest’: opposition blocks traffic and annoys drivers in resignation push

Tirana, January 10, 2025 – A protest organized by opposition supporters in front of the Municipality of Tirana turned chaotic today, with verbal clashes between demonstrators and citizens trapped in traffic. As traffic ground to a halt, some drivers confronted the protesters, demanding the road be cleared.

Tensions also flared between the protest organizers and the police, with accusations that law enforcement had not done enough to redirect traffic, worsening the situation.

The opposition, which has been rallying for months, is calling for the resignation of the Mayor of Tirana, Erion Veliaj. This protest is just one in a series of ongoing demonstrations that have often escalated into violence. In previous gatherings, Molotov cocktails have been thrown at the Municipality building, further fueling the unrest.