A fire broke out at Albania’s Education Ministry overnight after demonstrators broke into the building in the capital city of Tirana. The incident occurred during the third day of ongoing student demonstrations demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama and improved university conditions.
Police reported that 16 people were arrested following the overnight violence. Hundreds of students returned to the streets on Wednesday, hurling rocks at the ministry building and tearing down nearby fencing to block roadways. According to police, adding that the violence resulted in 16 arrests, demonstrators broke in overnight on Tuesday and lit a fire inside of the building. Protesters continued to rally on Wednesday.
Law enforcement authorities deployed tear gas and water cannons in an effort to disperse the crowds. The unrest follows protests on Monday and Tuesday that brought hundreds of demonstrators to the front of the ministry.
Deputy Prime Minister Albana Kociu addressed the unrest on social media, acknowledging the legitimate right to protest while condemning property destruction and street clashes. She urged citizens and students to distance themselves from vandalism. “I call on students and every honest citizen who believes in the right to protest: Distance yourself from violence and vandalism!”.
Besar Likmeta, an editor at the Balkan Investigative Reporting Network, noted that the demonstrations built upon four months of daily rallies known as the Flamingo Revolution. The movement initially formed to oppose a resort project in southern Albania linked to Jared Kushner, son-in-law of US President Donald Trump, before expanding into wider grievances concerning corruption, tuition fees, and a lack of opportunities for young people. “But then they, they spread into wider demands about better, better opportunities and anti-corruption, lack of opportunities for youth, and particularly a sign of growing disenfranchisement among this younger generation of Albanians,” Likmeta added.
