Thousands of students clashed with police in Tirana for a second consecutive day on Wednesday, escalating protests into violent confrontations that left government buildings damaged and at least one ablaze. Demonstrators demanded Prime Minister Edi Rama’s resignation and improved university conditions, hurling stones, improvised explosives and Molotov cocktails at police, who responded with water cannons and tear gas .
Fires broke out at the Education Ministry and two banks, while protesters also targeted the prime minister’s office, commercial premises and a police station, smashing windows and looting businesses . Police cleared demonstrators from the area around the ministry, with reports of excessive force and journalists being blocked or having equipment confiscated .
Albania’s deputy prime minister, Albana Koçiu, condemned the violence, stating on Facebook that while protest is a legitimate right, it “cannot be used as an excuse for violence, urban destruction or street fights” . Opposition leader Sali Berisha praised the protesters, declaring, “Tirana’s streets and squares have never seen lions like these students” .
President Bajram Begaj urged dialogue, emphasizing that violence is not a means of expressing dissent . The U.S. Embassy in Tirana advised citizens to avoid protest areas, while the EU delegation called for de-escalation and a thorough investigation into reports of excessive force against demonstrators and media . At least 29 injuries and 35 arrests were reported by local media .
