An opposition protest in Tirana, led by former president Sali Berisha, escalated into violence. Demonstrators hurled Molotov cocktails at the government building, parliament, and several ministries.

Police responded with water cannons and tear gas, with 1,600 officers deployed across the city. The protest date of March 22 was chosen to mark the anniversary of Albania's first pluralist elections in 1992.

Berisha declared that Albania is living "under an authoritarian dictatorship."