The head of Albania's Socialist Party parliamentary group, Taulant Balla, said on Thursday that ongoing anti-government protests pose no threat to the ruling majority, arguing that the demonstrations have instead deepened divisions within the opposition.

Speaking during a parliamentary session, Balla said the Socialist Party remained politically strong and claimed that many opposition supporters were calling for the departure of opposition leader Sali Berisha.

"The protests defeated you, but they cannot defeat us. No one can defeat the Socialist Party," Balla said, accusing the opposition of becoming increasingly fragmented.

His remarks came as protesters gathered outside parliament, chanting slogans including "Rama to prison, Berisha to prison" while demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama and the withdrawal of former Prime Minister Sali Berisha from Albania's political scene.

Balla also renewed criticism of Dritan Goxhaj, who recently read protesters' five demands at a public demonstration. The Socialist lawmaker reiterated his claim that Goxhaj had never served in the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA), saying documents provided by organizations representing KLA veterans supported that assertion.

Balla accused the opposition of attempting to exploit both Goxhaj's case and the protests for political gain, urging demonstrators not to allow political parties to "hijack" their movement.