Demonstrators broke into Albania’s Education Ministry overnight and set a fire inside the building, resulting in 16 arrests, according to police. The incident occurred as protests continued in the capital city of Tirana following two earlier days of demonstrations.
On Wednesday, hundreds of students gathered to protest outside the ministry, throwing rocks at the building while demanding improved university conditions and calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama. Riot police deployed tear gas and water cannons in response to the crowds. Demonstrators also removed nearby fencing and used it to block streets in the area.
Deputy Prime Minister Albana Kociu issued a statement acknowledging that protesting is a legitimate right but cautioning against violence and property destruction. She called on students and citizens to distance themselves from vandalism and violent conduct.
According to Besar Likmeta, editor at the Balkan Investigative Reporting Network, these protests represent an expansion of four months of daily rallies on Tirana’s main streets, initially known as the “Flamingo Revolution.” That movement began in opposition to a resort development project in a protected southern Albanian area with connections to Jared Kushner, son-in-law of US President Donald Trump, which sparked concerns about corruption and lack of governmental transparency.
The demonstrations have evolved to encompass broader grievances including demands for anti-corruption measures, improved opportunities for young people, and better university conditions. Students cited tuition fees and inadequate support for youth as key concerns driving their participation in the ongoing protests, reflecting what observers characterize as growing disenchantment among Albania’s younger generation.
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