Albania Protests: Student Unrest in Tirana
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Student protesters attack government buildings in Albania
Image source: Reuters
Image caption: Demonstrators in Tirana, Albania's capital on Wednesday.
By Rachel Flynn
Published 9 hours ago
Thousands of students took to the streets in Tirana, Albania's capital, on Tuesday and Wednesday, marking the second day of violent anti-government protests.
The initial demonstration began outside the Ministry of Education, with students demanding better university conditions and job prospects. On Wednesday, the situation escalated as part of the education ministry's building caught fire, and rioters targeted the Prime Minister's Office, the Finance Ministry, the Interior Ministry, and surrounding businesses.
Albania's Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu urged calm and maturity, stating, "Albania does not need to burn to change."
Riot police responded with tear gas and water cannons to disperse the protesters. Enida Bimi, a demonstrator, expressed the broader anger felt by many: "The people are very angry at the system. They need to change everything."
Another protester, Arber Leshi, accused the government of being "the most corrupt our country has ever seen."
While Education Minister Mirela Kumbaro acknowledged the right to protest, she distinguished between "civic student protest" and "violence against public buildings and property."
Officials have condemned the violent acts, with Economy Minister Delina Ibrahimaj stating, "Setting fire to an institution is not a peaceful protest. It is an act that endangers people's lives."
Sixteen individuals were arrested for their roles in Tuesday's protests, according to Albania's state-run news agency.
Sali Berisha, leader of the opposition Democratic Party of Albania, supported the protesters, calling them "lions" during a Wednesday evening meeting.
These student-led protests are part of a broader movement known as the Flamingo Revolution, demanding the resignation of Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama. The protests were initially sparked by a luxury tourism project linked to Jared Kushner, son-in-law of US President Donald Trump, which fueled existing concerns over corruption and transparency within Rama's government.