**Turmoil in Tirana: Protests Turn Violent in Albania** In the streets of Tirana, the capital city of Albania, a heated standoff between protesters and police unfolded recently, leaving at least 16 people injured and 13 arrested. The demonstrations, which have been ongoing for months, are calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama amidst allegations of corruption. The protests, sparked by the alleged interference of Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku in government construction contracts, have been gaining momentum. Balluku was temporarily suspended from office but later reinstated by Rama, further fueling the public's distrust in the government. The protesters are not just demanding Rama's resignation but also want Balluku to face prosecution. As the situation escalated, police responded with force, using water cannon and tear gas against the protesters. The clashes also extended to the parliament building, with both sides using Molotov cocktails and flares. The heavy deployment of over 1,300 police officers at the scene suggests the government is taking the situation seriously. But what lies beneath this surface-level struggle for power? Analysts suggest that the Albanian public is fed up with the cycle of corruption and cronyism that plagues the country. For years, voters have been choosing between the lesser of two evils, with opposition leader Sali Berisha, a former prime minister himself, calling for Rama's resignation. However, many see Berisha as an equally tainted figure, having faced corruption charges in the past. The protests have exposed the deep-seated distrust of the Albanian people towards their leadership. As political analyst Mentor Kikia noted, "Citizens are distrustful, having consistently voted for the lesser evil to remove the greater evil from power." It remains to be seen whether this wave of protests will lead to meaningful change or simply another cycle of power struggles in Albania.