Albanian President Ilir Meta has cancelled local elections, saying the political tensions in the country would not allow for fair elections.
Meta said he acted because "the actual circumstances do not provide necessary conditions for true, democratic, representative and all-inclusive elections" at the end of the month.
Thousands of Albanians are demanding socialist Prime Minister Edi Rama steps down, accusing him of electoral fraud and corruption.
They have called for an early general election, with leader of opposition Democratic Party Lulzim Basha urging crowds to continue protests until Rama resigns.

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