In brief
Student protests in Tirana have surged as thousands clashed with police, setting fire to the education ministry and attacking other government buildings. The demonstrations began over claims of poor university conditions and lack of jobs for graduates. Protesters have called for a broad systemic overhaul, citing corruption from Prime Minister Edi Rama’s administration. Authorities responded with tear gas and water cannons, and local officials have accused the rioters of endangering public safety. The unrest is part of the wider Flamingo Revolution, sparked in part by a luxury resort project linked to Jared Kushner.
Thousands of students have taken to the streets in Tirana, Albania’s capital, attacking several government buildings on the second day of violent anti‑government protests.
The demonstration began outside the ministry of education on Tuesday, as students demanded better university conditions and improved job prospects for graduates.
On Wednesday part of the education ministry’s building was set on fire, while the prime minister’s office, the finance ministry, the interior ministry and surrounding businesses were also attacked.
Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu called for “calmness, self‑restraint and maturity”, stressing that “Albania does not need to burn to change.”
Riot police clashed with the protesters, using tear gas and water cannons to disperse them.
One demonstrator, Enida Bimi, told Reuters that the protest is not just for the students, but “for all the people of Albania.” She said: “The people are very angry at the system. They need to change everything. With this corruption all around, the crime and everything else is happening. And the people now are angry. They need to change the system.”
Another protester, Arber Leshi, said people are angry at “the most corrupt government our country has ever seen.”
The economy minister, Delina Ibrahimaj, criticised the protesters, saying “setting fire to an institution is not a peaceful protest. It is an act that endangers peoples’ lives,” after a video appeared showing rocks being thrown at the finance ministry building.
Sixteen people were arrested in connection with violent acts during Tuesday’s protest, according to Albania’s state‑run news agency.
This student‑led protest comes after months of anti‑government demonstrations, known as the Flamingo Revolution, which are calling for Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama to resign.
The protests were sparked in May by a luxury tourism project linked to Jared Kushner, the son‑in‑law of former US President Donald Trump, fueling anger over alleged corruption and lack of transparency from Rama’s government.
