Albanian parliament suspends session after opposition MP throws smoke bombs

The Albanian parliament suspended a session on November 20 after some opposition lawmakers caused a small fire by throwing smoke bombs into the hall.

Democratic lawmakers threw about 10 smoke bombs and started a small fire in the chamber, but security personnel quickly extinguished the fire.

The aim of these lawmakers is to block discussion of the 2024 budget.

The incident occurred as Speaker of Parliament Lindita Nikolla opened debate on next year's draft budget presented by Prime Minister Edi Rama's government.

Before the debate, there were also clashes between the security forces of the parliament building and some supporters of the right-wing former Prime Minister Salo Berisha, who is also a member of parliament.

This is not the first time that the opposition has used smoke bombs to disrupt the work of the Parliament in Tirana. The right-wing opposition has accused some members of the Government of corruption, specifically fraud and embezzlement, and has been demanding throughout the year that the Albanian Parliament open an investigation into these officials.

Former Prime Minister and MP Sali Berisha is also currently under investigation for alleged corruption and is banned from leaving the country.