Sanctions for Democratic Party deputies
The Secretariat for Procedures, Voting and Ethics suspended six Democratic Party lawmakers for 60 days from committee work and plenary sessions following physical clashes with governing Socialist Party MPs in Albania. This decision on October 24 follows a request by Socialist Party deputies for disciplinary action against 20 members of the opposition Democratic Party. The disciplinary body, which Ulsi Manja chaired during an online meeting, also upheld warnings for 14 other opposition deputies following incidents during the October 22 plenary session. The suspended lawmakers are Flamur Noka, Belind Kellici, Fidel Kreka, Edi Paloka, Besart Xhaferri, and Luciano Boci. The Secretariat cited "serious incidents" involving insults, provocations, and physical attacks. This disciplinary request targeted 20 members of the opposition. The Socialist Party’s request for sanctions targeted the opposition for blocking the parliamentary rostrum, disrupting voting, and damaging equipment. The decision targets six members of the Democratic Party.
| Disciplinary Action | Number of MPs | Duration/Condition |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 6 | 60 days |
| Warning | 14 | Issued following October 22 session |
| Disciplinary Request | 20 | Filed by Socialist Party deputies |
The confrontation and street protests
The confrontation in the chamber escalated when opposition lawmakers moved toward the governing party benches to retrieve voting cards. During the incident, Democratic Party lawmaker Fidel Kreka reportedly struck a ballot paper and pushed former interior minister Ervin Hoxha, which triggered a wider physical altercation involving MPs from both sides. The Socialist Party sought varying lengths of suspension for the members. Opposition MPs held up photographs of rubber bullet wounds and other injuries sustained by protesters during student-led demonstrations in Tirana and other Albanian cities. These demonstrators demand the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama. The opposition has repeatedly accused the government of corruption and abuse of power, while parliamentary sessions have seen protests and obstruction by Democratic Party lawmakers. The clashes in parliament follow daily violent street protests. The student-led demonstrators in Tirana and other Albanian cities demand the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama. The presence of Democratic Party lawmakers in the chamber often involves direct obstruction of the governing party.
