- Thousands of students have clashed with police in Albania’s capital, Tirana, during a second day of anti-government protests
- Demonstrators initially demanded better university conditions and job opportunities but have also voiced anger over alleged corruption, crime and the government’s leadership
- The unrest comes amid a wider protest movement calling for Prime Minister Edi Rama to resign
Thousands of students have taken to the streets of Albania’s capital, Tirana, attacking government buildings and clashing with police during a second day of violent anti-government demonstrations.
Source: UGC
The protests began on Tuesday outside the Ministry of Education, with students demanding better university conditions and improved employment opportunities. However, the demonstrations escalated on Wednesday, with part of the ministry’s building set on fire and several other public facilities attacked.
The prime minister’s office, the finance and interior ministries, as well as businesses in the surrounding area, were also targeted as anger over the government’s record spread beyond the initial education demands.
Images from the protests showed demonstrators wearing gas masks and balaclavas throwing stones and firecrackers through the education ministry’s gates.
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Riot police responded with tear gas and water cannons in an attempt to disperse the crowds.
Why are Albanian students protesting?
Although the demonstrations initially focused on education, they have increasingly become an outlet for wider public frustration over alleged corruption, crime and the government’s leadership.
One demonstrator, Enida Bimi, told Reuters that the protests were about more than students’ concerns, arguing that the entire country needed change.
“The people are very angry at the system. They need to change everything. With this corruption all around, the crime and everything else is happening. And the people now are angry. They need to change the system,” she said, as quoted by BBC.
Another protester, Arber Leshi, accused the government of presiding over what he described as the most corrupt administration the country had ever seen.
The demonstrations come amid months of wider anti-government protests, dubbed the Flamingo Revolution, calling for Prime Minister Edi Rama to resign.
The broader movement was fuelled by controversy surrounding a luxury tourism development linked to Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of US President Donald Trump. The project has intensified concerns among critics over alleged corruption and a lack of transparency in government decisions.
Government condemns violence as opposition backs students
Albanian Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu urged demonstrators to exercise restraint, warning that violence would not bring the country the changes it needed.
“Albania does not need to burn to change,” she said, calling for calmness, self-restraint and maturity.
Education Minister Mirela Kumbaro said she respected citizens’ right to demonstrate but insisted that peaceful protest should not be confused with attacks on public property.
Economy Minister Delina Ibrahimaj also condemned the violence, warning that setting fire to government institutions endangered lives.
Meanwhile, Albania’s state-run news agency reported that 16 people had been arrested in connection with violent acts during Tuesday’s demonstrations.
Opposition Democratic Party leader Sali Berisha praised the students, describing them as exceptionally courageous during an evening meeting on Wednesday.
Source: TUKO.co.ke