Protesters set fire to the inside of Albania’s Education Ministry overnight in the capital, Tirana, as student demonstrations continued. Police said the violence led to 16 arrests.
Demonstrators broke into the building on Tuesday night and lit a blaze inside, according to police. The rallies carried on into Wednesday, when hundreds of students gathered outside the ministry and threw rocks at it.
Students demand better university conditions and Rama’s resignation
The protesters demanded better conditions at universities and the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama. Students told local media the protests were also about tuition fees and a lack of support for young people.
Riot police used tear gas and water cannons in an attempt to break up the crowds. Demonstrators also tore out nearby fencing and used it to block the street.
Deputy prime minister condemns violence as movement widens
Deputy Prime Minister Albana Kociu said on Facebook that protesting is a legitimate right but cannot be used to justify violence or damage to the city. She urged students and citizens to distance themselves from violence and vandalism.
Besar Likmeta, an editor at a Balkan investigative reporting network, said the latest unrest came after four months of daily rallies on the main streets of the capital, known as the “Flamingo Revolution”. The movement began in protest against a resort project in a protected area of southern Albania linked to Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of US President Donald Trump.
The project fuelled anger over alleged corruption and a lack of transparency. Likmeta said the demands later widened to include anti-corruption measures, fewer opportunities for young people and a growing sense of disenfranchisement among younger Albanians.
