Albania opposition activists rally on streets of Tirana to demand government steps aside

TIRANA, Albania (AP) — Members of Albania’s main opposition party on Monday blocked the capital Tirana’s main intersections in an anti-government protest calling for a technocratic caretaker cabinet ahead of next year's parliamentary elections.

In the first rally after their leader was released from the house arrest, activists linked to the main center-right Democratic Party defied the cold and rain to block traffic at five main intersections. The protesters accuse the left-wing government of Prime Minister Edi Rama of corruption, manipulating elections and usurping the powers of the judiciary.

Democratic Party leader Sali Berisha, 80, was released last month from house arrest imposed after he violated a court order. Berisha is charged with corruption.

“There is no election with Rama. With Rama there is only a battle for elections. Elections will never be boycotted," said Berisha. "Our battle is unstoppable until his (Rama) overthrow,” he added.

Hundreds of police officers were deployed to protect government buildings and keep streets clear for traffic. After 90 minutes, the authorities began to push the protesters away from the intersections, which raised the tension and led to some clashes.

Earlier this year the conservative Democratic Party and its opposition coalition backers held protests over the arrests of Berisha and former President Ilir Meta in separate corruption cases, saying the charges are politically motivated.

The United States and the European Union have urged the opposition to resume dialogue with the government, saying violence won’t help the country integrate into the 27-nation EU.

Tirana has entered talks with the EU on alignment on issues including the rule of law, tackling corruption, security and defense. Albania aims to join the bloc by 2030, according to Rama.

Albania will hold parliamentary election on May 11 when voters living abroad will for the first time be able to cast ballots from overseas.

Post-communist elections in Albania have often been marred by irregularities, including vote-buying and the manipulation of ballot counts.

Follow Llazar Semini at https://x.com/lsemini

Police block opposition protesters during an anti-government rally asking for a technocratic caretaker Cabinet, in Tirana, Albania, Monday, Dec. 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Vlasov Sulaj)

Police block opposition protesters during an anti-government rally asking for a technocratic caretaker Cabinet, in Tirana, Albania, Monday, Dec. 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Vlasov Sulaj)

Police block opposition protesters during an anti-government rally asking for a technocratic caretaker Cabinet, in Tirana, Albania, Monday, Dec. 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Vlasov Sulaj)

Opposition leader Sali Berisha joins his supporters during an anti-government protest, after he was released from the house arrest, asking for a technocratic caretaker Cabinet, in Tirana, Albania, Monday, Dec. 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Vlasov Sulaj)

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — John Marino scored at 4:03 of the third period to break a tie and give the Utah Mammoth a 2-1 victory over the Dallas Stars on Thursday night.

Marino also assisted on Nick Schmaltz's 17th goal of the season and Karel Vejmelka made 26 stops as the Mammoth won for the fifth time in six games.

Mikko Rantanen scored and Jake Oettinger had 25 saves for Dallas, which has lost nine of its last 11 games.

Schmaltz broke a scoreless deadlock with 7 seconds left in the second period, tipping in a feed from Marino. It was the fourth latest goal in any regulation period in Utah's short franchise history.

The Mammoth nearly made it 2-0 just 38 seconds into the third, but Lawson Crouse had his goal wiped off the board for high-sticking.

Rantanen leveled the score with a power-play goal at the 2:04 of the third.

Marino answered two minutes later, snapping the puck home from long distance to put the Mammoth up 2-1 with his second winning goal of the season.

Utah improved to 16-1-1 this season when leading after two periods.

Stars: host Tampa Bay on Sunday.

Mammoth: host Seattle on Saturday.

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

Dallas Stars defenseman Kyle Capobianco, right, moves the puck against Utah Mammoth defenseman Sean Durzi during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Melissa Majchrzak)

Dallas Stars defenseman Thomas Harley (55) shoots the puck against Utah Mammoth goaltender Karel Vejmelka (70) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Melissa Majchrzak)

Dallas Stars center Wyatt Johnston, right, moves the puck against Utah Mammoth left wing Lawson Crouse during the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Melissa Majchrzak)

Dallas Stars left wing Jason Robertson, center left, fights for the puck against Utah Mammoth defenseman John Marino (6) during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Melissa Majchrzak)