Protesters, led by veteran politician Sali Berisha, held a rally on Monday in Tirana, demanding the resignations of Prime Minister Edi Rama and Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku.

Balluku is being investigated by the country’s Special Structure Against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK) and has yet to resign.

It comes on the day that the European Commission opened the final cluster of chapters in Albania’s EU integration path as the country is being widely heralded as the clear Balkan frontrunner for entry into the bloc.

Berisha told those gathered in front of parliament that the protest would mark the launch of a “people’s parliament” and accused the ruling party of preventing democratic and fair elections.

“We are in a regime that violates free voting, that suppresses the opposition, that is truly rotten from head to toe, Berisha said, claiming Rama had turned the country into a criminal narco-state that serves the political elites and comparing him to South American dictators.

Berisha and his party have organized a string of protests in the lead up to this year’s elections.

AP Video by Eri Xhabafti