2022 Albanian protests
| 2022 Albanian protests | |
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_05.jpg) 12 March 2022 citizens' protest against the increase in oil prices and living costs | |
| Date | March – December 2022 |
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The 2022 Albanian protests were a series of demonstrations in Albania and by Albanian diaspora communities abroad during 2022. The first wave began in March after sharp increases in fuel and food prices following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Later protests, including opposition-led rallies in July, November and December, also focused on corruption, poverty, emigration and demands for the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama.[1][2][3]
The protests were not one continuous movement, but several related waves of mobilisation during a year of high inflation and political tension. In March, citizens and civil-society activists protested rising fuel prices and the high cost of basic goods. In July and November, the opposition Democratic Party, led by former president and former prime minister Sali Berisha, organised large anti-government rallies in Tirana. In November, Albanians in London protested comments by British Home Secretary Suella Braverman describing migration across the English Channel as an "invasion".[4]
Background
Albania entered 2022 with rising prices after the economic disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 further increased pressure on energy and food prices across Europe. In Albania, the price of fuel rose sharply in early March, prompting demonstrations in Tirana and other cities.[1]
Euronews reported that fuel prices in Albania increased by more than 40% in one week, triggering protests in Tirana and forcing the government to impose price controls.[1] The World Bank later reported that Albania's headline inflation accelerated in 2022, driven especially by food and transport prices, and that rising prices eroded household disposable income.[5]
Official statistics also showed strong price pressure in mid-2022. According to Albania's Institute of Statistics, the annual rate measured by the Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices in July 2022 was 7.2%; transport prices increased by 14.5% and food and non-alcoholic beverages by 12.4% compared with July 2021.[6]
March cost-of-living protests
The first major protests began in March 2022 after rapid increases in fuel and food prices. Demonstrators gathered in Tirana and other cities, calling for lower fuel taxes, controls on basic prices and government action to protect households from inflation.[2] Some protesters blocked roads and gathered outside government buildings, while others used social media to organise demonstrations.[7]
On 12 March, thousands of people demonstrated in Tirana against rising fuel prices. Protesters accused the government of failing to protect citizens from price speculation and called for greater transparency in the fuel market.[1] Similar protests were also held in other cities, including Durrës, Shkodër, Lezhë, Korçë and Vlorë.[2]
Prime Minister Edi Rama said that Albania, like other European countries, was being affected by the war in Ukraine and instability in international markets. The government created a fuel price-management board to set retail fuel prices and threatened to close businesses that violated the approved prices.[8] It also created a food price-control board for basic products.[1]
The protests continued despite the government's response. Balkan Insight reported that more demonstrations took place over the weekend of 12–13 March and that protesters demanded transparency, lower prices and political accountability.[2]
Police response and arrests
Police detained and arrested protesters during the March demonstrations. Lawyers and civil-rights organisations criticised the authorities for what they described as excessive force and arbitrary detentions.[9]
Balkan Insight reported that lawyers accused police of using undue violence against protesters and of keeping a disabled man in a cell for four days. The Albanian Helsinki Committee also criticised the arrests of protesters for participating in what authorities described as illegal gatherings.[9]
July opposition protest
On 7 July 2022, thousands of opposition supporters gathered in Tirana in a protest organised by the Democratic Party. The protest was led by former president and former prime minister Sali Berisha, who had taken control of the main opposition party after a prolonged internal conflict with former party leader Lulzim Basha.[10]
The rally was peaceful and focused on price hikes, alleged corruption and demands for Rama's resignation. The Associated Press reported that protesters accused the centre-left government of mishandling the cost-of-living crisis and corruption, while Albania faced rising prices for fuel and basic food products linked to the war in Ukraine and the continuing effects of the pandemic.[10]
November anti-government protest
On 12 November 2022, tens of thousands of opposition supporters gathered in Tirana in another large anti-government rally. The protest focused on rising costs, poverty, corruption and emigration. Reuters reported that protesters scuffled with police outside the prime minister's office after a mostly peaceful demonstration lasting around three hours.[3]
Some protesters broke through police cordons around the government building and threw red and black paint at the entrance. Police arrested one protester.[3] Al Jazeera reported that the rally also expressed anger over mass emigration, with many Albanians leaving the country for work and better living conditions abroad.[11]
Albanian diaspora protest in London
In November 2022, thousands of Albanians protested in London after British Home Secretary Suella Braverman described arrivals across the English Channel as an "invasion". Protesters rejected the portrayal of Albanians as criminals and said the comments had stigmatised the Albanian community in the United Kingdom.[4]
The London protest was not directed at the Albanian government in the same way as the rallies in Tirana, but it formed part of a wider year of Albanian mobilisation, including diaspora protests over migration, dignity and political representation.
December EU summit protest
On 6 December 2022, opposition supporters held another protest in Tirana during the European Union–Western Balkans summit, the first such summit to be held in Albania. The opposition used the event to protest against Rama's government and to accuse it of corruption and authoritarianism.[12]
During the march, Sali Berisha was punched in the face by a male bystander. Reuters reported that Berisha was attacked while leading supporters toward central Tirana for the anti-government protest. Berisha continued the march after the incident.[12]
Aftermath
The March protests prompted the government to intervene in fuel and basic food pricing through temporary price-control boards.[1][8] These measures did not stop public dissatisfaction over prices, and protests continued intermittently during the year.
The opposition protests in July, November and December drew large crowds and kept cost-of-living, corruption and emigration issues in the public debate. However, they did not achieve the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama or his government. Rama remained in office, and the Socialist Party continued to govern Albania.
The protests also highlighted concerns over policing. Lawyers and rights groups criticised the detention of protesters during the March demonstrations, while later rallies involved scuffles with police but did not develop into a sustained uprising.[9][3]
See also
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Rising fuel and food costs spark protests in Albania, government imposes price controls". Euronews. 12 March 2022. Retrieved 23 June 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 Sinoruka, Fjori (14 March 2022). "Albanians Continue Protesting Against Rising Prices Despite PM's Promises". Balkan Insight. Retrieved 23 June 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 "Anti-government protesters scuffle with police in Albania". Reuters. 12 November 2022. Retrieved 23 June 2026.
- 1 2 "'We're not criminals': Thousands of Albanians protest over Suella Braverman's refugee 'invasion' comments". Sky News. Retrieved 23 June 2026.
- ↑ "Albania: From Recovery to a New Shock". World Bank. 2022. Retrieved 23 June 2026.
- ↑ "Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices, July 2022" (PDF). INSTAT. 19 August 2022. Retrieved 23 June 2026.
- ↑ "Albania social briefing: The Albanian spring of protests: going from crisis to crisis". China-CEE Institute. 30 March 2022. Retrieved 23 June 2026.
- 1 2 "Analysis: Albania's U-turn on Fuel Price Increases amid European Action". Exit. 11 March 2022. Retrieved 23 June 2026.
- 1 2 3 Sinoruka, Fjori (18 March 2022). "Albanian Police Criticised for Large-Scale Arrests at Protests". Balkan Insight. Retrieved 23 June 2026.
- 1 2 "Albania: Thousands join opposition protest over price hikes". Associated Press. 7 July 2022. Retrieved 23 June 2026.
- ↑ "Tens of thousands of Albanians protest over rising costs". Al Jazeera. 13 November 2022. Retrieved 23 June 2026.
- 1 2 "Albanian opposition leader punched in face as he marches to protest". Reuters. 6 December 2022. Retrieved 23 June 2026.