The announced protest was held outside the Parliament building at the same time as the plenary session, while the situation on the ground escalated with a road blockade, egg-throwing and police intervention. According to the official version reported from the scene, Dritan Goxhaj was also escorted by police, along with other individuals.
The announced protest and increased police presence
The gathering had been announced days in advance, leading to an increased police presence in the area around Parliament. Officers were deployed at several points, while metal barriers and a security cordon were set up on the roads leading to the building.
Footage from the scene showed a heavy police deployment, indicating that institutions were expecting clashes or at least tensions at the main entrances to Parliament.
Escalation outside the Parliament building
During the protest, the situation worsened outside Parliament. Protesters threw eggs and blocked the road, shifting attention from the chamber to the tensions on the ground.
In this atmosphere, police intervened and, according to reports from the scene, escorted Dritan Goxhaj as well as several other individuals. Up to this stage, no further public details have been given about the specific reasons for each escort.
The plenary session began amid political tension and unrest in the street
Inside Parliament, the plenary session began while the protest continued outside. At the opening, Niko Peleshi delivered remarks on The Hague decision regarding the KLA leaders.
On the other side, Democratic Party parliamentary group leader Gazment Bardhi requested the removal from the agenda of the draft law on the “Status of Magistrates,” adding to the political strain of a session taking place in parallel with the tensions outside the building.
Healthcare also in focus of the parliamentary clash
The session also touched on the situation in the healthcare system, described as serious. The interpellation with the Health Minister also became part of the day’s debate.
According to what was reported from the session, Minister Albana Spahiu responded to an opposition MP by stressing that she would be in front of him every week.
The day’s developments showed once again that parliamentary sessions are increasingly being accompanied by tensions in the street and political clashes in the chamber.
In the absence of fuller clarification from the authorities on the police escorts and the handling of the protest, it remains to be seen whether there will be a more detailed official position on the events outside Parliament.