Clashes in parliament as ruling Socialists swear in new chief prosecutor, opposition protests

TIRANA, Dec. 18 – Clashes took place inside and outside Albania’s parliament Monday as a new chief prosecutor was sworn in. In a vote along party lines, 69 ruling Socialist Party lawmakers approved Arta Marku as the new temporary general prosecutor Monday morning amid thick red smoke released from stadium flares thrown by opposition lawmakers, who also threw projectiles at Marku and the Speaker of Parliament. The opposition said it tried to stop the vote as it said two thirds of the 140 votes are needed under the constitution and the new general prosecutor must go through a vetting process….