Albanian opposition and ruling party lawmakers scuffle in parliament over student protest tensions

Lawmakers in Albania's parliament clashed on Thursday as opposition members of parliament attempted to disrupt a session, while the assembly continued voting on legislation amid tensions in the country. The clashes broke out after parliamentary leadership rejected opposition demands to debate ten days of student demonstrations that have gripped the capital Tirana. Opposition MPs held up photographs of students injured by police during previous protests and blocked the parliamentary podium, while the assembly pressed ahead with voting on legislation amid the chaos. Outside parliament, large crowds of students gathered at the building’s entrances as the protests entered their tenth consecutive day.