Violent protests in Tirana, the capital of Albania, where students clashed with law enforcement. The demonstrators, who demand better conditions in universities and the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama, set fire to the Ministry of Education headquarters and other government buildings, reports IPN.
The students, who have been out on the streets since Tuesday, have joined the extensive anti-government protests that have been ongoing for months. On Wednesday, thousands of people gathered in front of the Ministry of Education. Some of them threw stones and bricks at the windows, broke glass and set fire to street trash cans.
The authorities have mobilized law enforcement forces who intervened with water cannons and tear gas. Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu condemned the violence and acts of vandalism, emphasizing that the right to protest does not justify the destruction of public goods. The Parliament has cancelled its session scheduled for Thursday.
The confrontations with the police resulted in dozens of injuries, and at least 55 protesters were arrested.
Prime Minister Edi Rama has stated that he will not resign and showed willingness to discuss the increase in education costs. He emphasized that attacking institutions, destroying public property, and endangering public safety have nothing to do with the students’ demands.
The student protests are taking place against the backdrop of largely peaceful demonstrations sparked in the spring by a project to build a luxury resort in a protected area on the southern coast of Albania. The controversial project, linked to investors associated with Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of the US president, has fueled societal discontent over suspicions of corruption and lack of government transparency.
