In brief
In Tirana, masked students and other demonstrators have been throwing rocks and petrol bombs at riot police for the fifth consecutive day. Police responded with tear gas, water cannons and rubber bullets, scattering the crowds. The protests began over corruption allegations against Prime Minister Edi Rama and have morphed into a wider anti‑government movement demanding his resignation. The capital’s centre has become a war‑zone, with dozens injured and hundreds arrested.
Five days of protests have escalated into violent clashes in Tirana’s city centre, as masked students and other demonstrators attack riot police with rocks and petrol bombs.
Police responded with water cannons, a barrage of tear gas canisters and, for the first time, rubber bullets, forcing crowds to scatter and turning the streets into a war zone.
The demonstrations began in June over alleged corruption involving Prime Minister Edi Rama’s administration. Over the weeks, the movement has broadened to call for Rama’s resignation and a national referendum on the country’s future.
Demonstrators – many high‑school, university, and medical students – wore gas masks and handed out saline eyewash to shield eyes from tear gas, while volunteers distributed emergency gels for burns.
One of the protests on Saturday saw thousands swarm the prime minister’s office on the main boulevard, throwing cobbles and fireworks at police, who retaliated with more tear gas, some of which drifted back toward the crowds.
Police reports say 80 people have been charged with disorder and hundreds more are under investigation or have been arrested. The city’s centre is littered with broken glass, burnt debris, and black smoke from a burning vehicle.
In the thick of the conflict, 19‑year‑old medical student George says he carries a rock to protest “because we have mothers and families, and because our government doesn’t want peace.”
Rama, in power for 13 years, has faced growing pressure from the EU and U.S. against corruption. Recent investigations by a special prosecution service – set up at EU and U.S. request – have arrested secret‑service chief Vlora Hyseni, who is accused of shielding businessman Ergys Agasi, a close aide to Rama.
Journalist activist Osman Stafa has urged a “neutral, caretaker government for a year to organise new elections,” as protests threaten to undermine Albania’s long‑planned EU membership in 2030.
With the Socialist Party holding a comfortable majority but no upcoming elections until 2029, the protests represent a boiling point of public frustration over corruption, lack of transparency and the concentration of power.
