Thousands of Albanians stage anti-govt rally

Thousands of Albanians rallied in the capital Tirana on Monday against the country's left-wing government, responding to a call from the president who accuses it of violating the constitution and of links with organized crime.

Albanian President Ilir Meta's protest was supported by the opposition, which is calling for fresh elections to resolve the political crisis.

Meta accuses Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama's Socialist Party government of violating the country's constitution by exceeding its powers, and also of taking his own powers by nominating candidates for the six vacant seats on the nine-person Constitutional Court.

In a symbolic gesture, Meta signed a decree annulling a law on the swearing-in ceremony of the Constitutional Court judges, which was recently passed by parliament.

The political turmoil comes as the Balkan nation of nearly three million people has been enacting reforms in the hope of getting the go-ahead to launch EU membership talks.

On Monday, the European Commission issued a revised progress report on Albania and North Macedonia saying that "both countries have delivered further tangible and sustainable results and therefore the Commission's recommendation to open accession negotiations with Albania and North Macedonia remains valid."

The European Council is expected to meet later this month.

Since taking the post three years ago, Meta, the former leader of the Socialist Movement for Integration Party, a small left-wing group now in opposition, has always been a vocal opponent of the government.

The Socialists, who dominate parliament, have launched impeachment proceedings against Meta - the first in post-communist Albania - stemming from his attempt to cancel last year's municipal elections.

The parliament is expected to produce a report this month that is likely to ask for Meta's ouster.

At one point during the protest, Meta was seen waving a US Flag.

The US Ambassador to Albania Yuri Kim later tweeted her "surprise" that the flag was visible at the protest.

"To avoid any confusion, we wish to clarify that while the US supports the right of peaceful protest, we have nothing to do with tonight's 'manifestation'" she tweeted.