TIRANA, Albania — Thousands of Albanian opposition supporters clashed with the police at an anti-government rally on Saturday, calling for the resignation of what they describe as a corrupt and inefficient cabinet and for early elections.

Supporters of the center-right Democratic Party broke police ranks as they tried to enter the building of the Socialist Party prime minister, Edi Rama.

Protesters threw petrol bombs, flares and other objects and tried to destroy scaffolding that protects the main door, which they broke. But they did not make it inside.

A security officer appealed for calm as some protesters tried to dismantle a piece of artwork.

The police offered little resistance. Officers elsewhere fired tear gas and water cannons and called through loudspeakers for protesters to disperse.