Albanian Police Deploy Force to Scatter Massive Protest in Tirana
Water cannons and tear gas were used as thousands gathered in the capital, continuing a wave of unrest over education and living costs.
By Gabriela Flores ·
Police in Tirana, the capital of Albania, resorted to heavy crowd control measures on Saturday as a large antigovernment rally turned violent. Officers deployed water cannons, tear gas, and rubber bullets to disperse the demonstrators. This escalation marks the latest significant clash in a series of protests that have shaken the small Balkan nation.
The main demand of the crowd, which included thousands of people from across the country, centered on the poor conditions in schools and the rising cost of living. Organizers had specifically urged students and other citizens to attend the rally. A broad coalition supported the event, with university professors, artists, and opposition parties announcing their participation in the protest against the current administration.
Authorities reported that the confrontation resulted in more than 300 injuries among both protesters and police officers. Dozens of demonstrators were also taken into custody. Several government buildings were targeted by the crowd, with the Ministry of Education serving as a primary focal point. Witnesses described protesters throwing stones at the ministry and rolling burning trash bins toward its entrance.
This weekend's unrest follows a period of relative calm in recent days. However, tensions had been simmering since mid-October, when a significant wave of protests began over educational standards and economic pressures. Clashes between police and demonstrators have occurred repeatedly during this stretch, indicating that the situation remains volatile despite brief lulls in activity.
The broader context of the unrest dates back to May, when news broke about a luxury hotel project linked to the family of United States President Donald Trump. Since that revelation, public anger has expanded into a wider campaign against corruption and high living expenses. Protesters are now calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama, who leads the Socialist party.
Prime Minister Rama has attributed the violence to foreign actors, specifically accusing Russia and Iran of driving online misinformation. He has simultaneously called for dialogue, a stance symbolized on Saturday by red cushions placed outside the government headquarters. Protesters responded to this gesture by setting the cushions on fire. The demonstrators have placed blame on the entire political class for the crisis, with some signs in the crowd criticizing Rama’s center-right rival, Sali Berisha.
Source: Al Jazeera
