Protests in Tirana escalate into clashes with police
Student and opposition-led demonstrations that began at the Ministry of Education spread to central Tirana and the Government building, prompting police to use water cannon and tear gas.
Mass anti-government demonstrations in Tirana escalated into clashes with police as crowds that began in front of the Ministry of Education threw stones and pyrotechnic devices at security forces and state buildings. Police responded with water cannons and tear gas while burning trash containers and makeshift barricades appeared at several locations across the city.
New confrontations near government buildings
The protest, organised by students and citizens, gathered at 14:00 in front of the Ministry of Education and later spread into central parts of the capital and toward the Government building. As demonstrators advanced, confrontations broke out when some participants hurled stones and pyrotechnics at police, who used water cannon and tear gas to disperse the crowds.
Earlier in the day, Democratic Party (DP) leader Sali Berisha led a rally outside the prime minister’s office. After about an hour, MPs and DP supporters moved toward the Ministry of Education. On Drach Street, "Ruga e Duresit", they met a group of young people who chanted: "Rama to jail, Berisha to jail."
Supporters of the Democratic Party also removed paving stones from sidewalks and set fire to chairs that Prime Minister Edi Rama had placed in front of the Government as an invitation to students for dialogue. As the student demonstrations grew more tense, certain groups began throwing stones at the ministry and at police, prompting security forces to advance with water cannon and tear gas.
At the entrance to Muslim Shyri Street, demonstrators dragged trash containers onto the roadway and set them alight, forming a barricade against police. Officers, supported by foot units and a water-cannon vehicle, pushed forward toward the blocked access.
Tensions in Tirana remain high. The demonstrations come amid increased political and social dissatisfaction aimed at Prime Minister Edi Rama’s government. In recent months the opposition Democratic Party under Sali Berisha has organised multiple rallies demanding early elections and accusing the government of corruption, poor governance and deteriorating living standards. Student and civic groups cite economic hardship, high living costs, emigration of young people and problems in the education system as central grievances.
Photo: press material from the event
