Albanian police use tear gas as anti-government protests enter eighth day

Police in Albania fired tear gas and used water cannons to disperse crowds in Tirana on Tuesday, marking the eighth consecutive day of violent anti-government demonstrations in the capital. High school and university students have joined a broader movement demanding the resignation of Socialist Prime Minister Edi Rama, alongside calls for lower tuition fees, more state investment in education, and an end to corruption within the system. Demonstrators have thrown rocks, flares, firebombs, and fireworks at police officers, who responded with batons, water cannons, and tear gas in the city center. These protests follow months of earlier rallies organized by the Flamingo movement against a luxury tourism project on the southern coast linked to an investment firm founded by Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of U.S. President Donald Trump.

Prime Minister's Response

Prime Minister Edi Rama strongly condemned the unrest after meeting with teachers and school representatives in Tirana. He called the protests an attempt to overthrow the government through violence and accused demonstrators of holding the city under a climate of terror. While acknowledging that concerns over the cost of living, housing, and a secure future are entirely real, Mr. Rama claimed that genuine issues were being hijacked by people causing deliberate violence, describing the situation as a hybrid war and stating that students involved belong to political extremism.

Wider Unrest

Albania is not alone in facing such unrest, as similar demonstrations over rising fuel costs, poor school conditions, declining public services, and housing shortages have broken out in countries like France and Italy. Spain and Portugal have seen tent camps set up to protest unaffordable housing, while protests were also planned in Greece.

Context

Street protests driven by economic hardship and student grievances frequently escalate when broader political opposition groups join in, as seen across various European nations facing cost-of-living pressures. In many democratic nations, governments often face a delicate balance between managing public demonstrations and maintaining civil order during prolonged periods of economic and social discontent.