Thousands of protesters have hit the streets of the Albanian capital Tirana to demand the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama.
Some of them broke through a police cordon by throwing petrol bombs and flares. They then began trying to smash down the doors of the building housing Rama's office.
Several windows were smashed and a dozen protesters tried to get inside but were pushed back by police.
Demonstrators were also seen trying to dismantle scaffolding that protects an illuminated canopy, a piece of artwork dear to Rama at the front of the building.
The protest, organised by opposition parties, called for Rama to step down amid allegations of corruption.
In a major anti-govt rally today organised by Albania's opposition, protesters turned violent and tried to break into the Prime Minister's office.
— Balkan Insight (@BalkanInsight) February 16, 2019
More on the protest: https://t.co/TFU43Yj556 pic.twitter.com/Axu3hU1fLN
Rama, who won a second term as Albania's PM in 2017, announced yesterday he wouldn't be in Tirana for the protests.
"February `16 will be the last day of Rama's power," declared Lulzim Basha, head of the Democratic Party, the centre-right opposition.
His and other opposition parties are calling for the formation of a government that would call early parliamentary elections.
They accuse Rama of colluding with organised crime and plunging the country into corruption and misery.