Police Injure 300 in Tirana as Crowds Storm Education Ministry
Albanian authorities deployed water cannon and tear gas on Saturday after a rally against Prime Minister Edi Rama turned violent, resulting in dozens of arrests.
By Abigail Brooks ·
More than 300 people sustained injuries on Saturday as police in Tirana, Albania, used water cannon, tear gas, and rubber bullets to clear the streets. The violent dispersal occurred after an antigovernment rally escalated, forcing authorities to deploy force against thousands of demonstrators. Dozens of protesters were taken into custody during the clashes.
The unrest marks a sharp increase in tension following a period of relative calm. Organizers called on students and residents from across the country to attend the Saturday event. The rally drew support from university professors, artists, and opposition parties. Local media noted that police tightened security measures around the capital, including conducting vehicle checks on cars entering the city.
The Ministry of Education served as the primary target for the demonstrators. Participants threw stones at the building and pushed burning trash bins toward its entrance. The building has become a central symbol of the protest movement, which began in mid-October. The initial demonstrations focused on poor conditions in schools and the rising cost of living in the Balkan nation.
The current crisis stems from wider public anger that has grown since May. Protests began after news broke of a luxury hotel project connected to the family of United States President Donald Trump. Since then, the movement has expanded into a campaign against corruption and high living costs. Protesters are demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama, the leader of the Socialist Party.
Rama has attributed the violence to foreign actors, specifically accusing Russia and Iran of driving online misinformation. The prime minister has also pushed for dialogue, a stance visually represented on Saturday when red cushions were placed outside the government headquarters. The cushions were intended as a symbolic invitation to talk, but protesters set them on fire. Demonstrators also carried signs criticizing Rama’s main opposition rival, centre-right leader Sali Berisha, laying blame on the entire political class for the ongoing crisis.
