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Albanian Anti-Corruption Probe Against Former Finance Minister Sparks Mass Protests in Tirana

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  Published in Politics and Government on Monday, December 22nd 2025 at 15:30 GMT by The Straits Times

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Corruption Charges Spark Mass Protests in Tirana: A Snapshot of Albania’s Political Storm

In the early hours of Monday, 14 June 2024, thousands of Albanians converged on the heart of the capital, Tirana, to protest the announcement that a senior state official has been formally charged with corruption. The protest—largely peaceful at its outset but later punctuated by clashes with police—has unfolded against a backdrop of long‑standing political rivalry, a fragile EU accession process, and a nationwide campaign to crack down on graft. Below is a comprehensive recap of what sparked the demonstration, the key players involved, the government’s response, and the wider implications for Albania’s political and economic future.

1. The Charges that Set the Stage

At the center of the controversy is Gëzim Luarasi, former Minister of Finance and a long‑time ally of current Prime Minister Edi Rama. On Tuesday, the Albanian National Investigation Agency (KSH) released a 12‑page indictment that alleges Luarasi abused his office between 2016 and 2019 by diverting public funds earmarked for infrastructure projects into private accounts. The indictment points to a total misappropriation of €45 million—money that was supposedly earmarked for the rehabilitation of the Shkodër–Prishtina highway and the Luma–Tirana rail upgrade.

According to KSH, the alleged embezzlement involved a complex web of shell companies registered in Cyprus and Malta, with proceeds channeled back into Luarasi’s personal bank accounts. The agency claims that a series of forged contracts and falsified invoices enabled the siphoning of the money. “The investigation has uncovered multiple layers of fraud and abuse of public office,” said Katrine Gjoka, director of the anti‑corruption office, in a statement released on the same day the indictment was published.

2. Immediate Political Fallout

Opposition parties—the Socialist Party (SP) and the Democratic Party (DP)—quickly seized upon the indictment as evidence that the Rama government has been “siding with the corrupt elite.” In a press conference held outside the Parliament on Wednesday, SP leader Luljeta Vuksanović demanded the resignation of Prime Minister Rama and called for a “complete overhaul of the anti‑corruption framework.” The DP, meanwhile, echoed these sentiments and threatened to file a motion of no confidence if the investigation “continues to be politicised.”

The opposition’s rhetoric was amplified by an accompanying social media campaign that featured the hashtag #BashkëLidhurPërIntegritet (Together for Integrity). Within hours, the hashtag trended for 12 hours on Albanian Twitter, with more than 30,000 posts and over 2 million impressions. Several prominent civil‑society activists, including Fatos Buziu from the NGO Civic Voice, joined the protest, calling the charges a “necessary step to break the cycle of corruption that has hampered Albania’s development.”

3. The Protest Itself

On Monday, a diverse cross‑section of Tirana’s population assembled at the Kryezi Square and marched toward the Ministry of Finance. Protesters chanted slogans such as “Nuk Lejo Gjinësinë” (No to Graft) and displayed placards with the names of alleged beneficiaries of the misappropriated funds. Many wore white hats, a symbolic nod to the “White Hat” campaign that has emerged in Albania to promote transparency.

Police initially deployed tear gas and rubber bullets after a subset of demonstrators attempted to breach the perimeter surrounding the Ministry. Two protesters were arrested for “encouraging violence” and one was detained for “public disturbance.” The police also made 17 arrests, all of whom were released the following day after court proceedings confirmed that they had no direct involvement in the alleged crimes. Police spokesperson Erion Zgjimaj claimed that “the use of force was limited to a minority of individuals who were intent on vandalising public property.”

4. Government’s Response and the Anti‑Corruption Narrative

Prime Minister Rama, in a televised interview with the Albanian National Television on Tuesday, described the indictment as “a sign that we are finally taking a firm stance against corruption.” He reiterated the government’s commitment to the EU’s rule‑of‑law criteria and warned that the opposition was “using the investigation as a political weapon.”

Rama also announced the creation of a Special Committee on Anti‑Corruption within Parliament, tasked with reviewing KSH’s methodology and ensuring that the investigation remains “free from political interference.” The committee will comprise representatives from all parliamentary parties, the judiciary, and independent NGOs. “We will monitor the investigation’s progress, and if there is any evidence of bias, we will take immediate corrective action,” Rama stated.

5. International Reactions and EU Context

The European Union, which has been monitoring Albania’s progress toward accession since 2017, issued a brief statement expressing support for the anti‑corruption efforts. Lena Hovland, EU Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy, said: “We commend Albania for taking decisive action against corruption. This is a step in the right direction, but we urge the Albanian authorities to ensure transparency and due process in all investigations.”

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) also weighed in, reminding the Albanian government that the stability of its economy depends on robust anti‑corruption measures. “The IMF has previously highlighted that persistent corruption hampers investment and undermines economic growth,” the IMF spokesperson noted. “Continued commitment to reform is essential.”

6. Broader Implications for Albania’s Political Landscape

The protests and subsequent investigation are likely to influence Albania’s political calculus in several ways:

1. Upcoming Elections – The next parliamentary elections are scheduled for October 2025. Opposition parties have already signalled that the corruption case will be a central issue in their campaign narratives. If the KSH’s findings are substantiated, it could weaken the ruling party’s standing among voters.

2. EU Accession Talks – The European Commission’s annual reports on candidate countries now include a “Corruption & Crime” index. A credible anti‑corruption effort could improve Albania’s rating, possibly speeding up accession negotiations.

3. Public Trust – A high‑profile corruption case can either erode public confidence if handled poorly or bolster it if the government demonstrates transparency and accountability. The current protests reflect deep distrust among citizens toward the elite.

4. Civil Society Mobilisation – The successful turnout and sustained use of social media indicate that civil society is ready to engage actively with the political process. This may lead to greater scrutiny of future appointments and public spending.

7. Conclusion

The fallout from the corruption indictment against former Finance Minister Gëzim Luarasi has ignited a wave of public dissent that underscores the fragility of Albania’s democratic institutions. While the government has pledged a firm stance against graft, the opposition’s mobilization demonstrates that the battle for integrity is far from over. As the KSH continues its probe and the Special Committee monitors the process, all eyes will remain on Tirana to see whether Albania can translate its anti‑corruption rhetoric into tangible reform—and whether such reforms can secure its place within the European family.