Clashes between protesters and police in Tirana

Violent clashes broke out during an anti-government demonstration in Tirana as protesters confronted police with stones and pushed burning trash containers toward security forces. Police responded by deploying water cannons in an effort to disperse the crowd.

Clashes escalate as protests widen

The demonstration is part of growing public anger in Albania, where protesters are demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama. Rama has led the country since 2013 and, the protesters note, last year won a fourth mandate.

The unrest was initially ignited by allegations of corruption linked to a luxury tourist project backed by Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of U.S. President Donald Trump. Those accusations helped mobilize street action against the government.

Since then the protest movement has broadened, incorporating grievances about public services, education, unemployment and the limited opportunities facing young people. Protesters accuse the Rama government of failing to take sufficient action against corruption.

Security forces and demonstrators exchanged clashes intermittently through the day, with local authorities using crowd-control measures while organisers called for sustained pressure on the government.

Photo: press material from the event