Albanian riot police used tear gas and water cannon on hundreds of students in the capital, Tirana, on Tuesday, as a demonstration over education and social conditions turned into clashes. Demonstrators hurled bricks and concrete blocks at the Education Ministry, calling for Prime Minister Edi Rama to step down.
Students raise university costs and job worries
Student organisers said the rally focused on conditions at universities, the cost of higher education, financial support and job prospects once graduates finish their studies. Police said at least six officers and one female journalist were hurt, and 23 people were arrested.
Officers urged the crowd to stop attacking the ministry. However, the police statement said some attendees continued to assault officers with Molotov cocktails, firecrackers, stones and other hard objects.
Anger over inequality and alleged corruption
Protesters said they wanted to voice frustration with inequality and the government’s economic policies. One demonstrator, Luljeta Kola, said: “What Albania needs is a revolution, a change, a complete overthrow of the system because it can’t go on like this.” She added that a deep social divide separates the rich and the poor.
Deputy Prime Minister Albana Kociu condemned the violence in a Facebook post, writing: “Violence has not been, is not, and will never be a solution.”
The capital has experienced a run of anti-government protests since May, triggered by a luxury tourism project linked to the family of US President Donald Trump. The project has fuelled anger over alleged corruption and a lack of transparency, and protesters have demanded Rama’s resignation.
Students say their problems must be addressed
Students echoed those demands but told local media that Tuesday’s rally also targeted university conditions, tuition fees and a lack of support for young people. One organiser wrote on Instagram: “Problems are not solved by pretending they do not exist. Students have questions, demands and plenty of reasons to be heard.”
