Student protesters attack government buildings in Albania
Buildings are set on fire as demonstrations from thousands of students who want better university conditions and job prospects spiral into violence.
Key points
- Thousands of students protested in Tirana for a second day, attacking government buildings including the education ministry, prime minister's office, finance and interior ministries.
- Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu urged calm and said Albania does not need to burn to change, while riot police used tear gas and water cannons.
- Sixteen people were arrested during Tuesday's protest, and opposition leader Sali Berisha praised the demonstrators.
Thousands of students took to the streets of Albania's capital, Tirana, attacking several government buildings on the second day of violent anti-government protests. The demonstration began outside the education ministry on Tuesday, with students demanding better university conditions and job prospects.
On Wednesday, part of the education ministry building was set on fire. The prime minister's office, the finance and interior ministries, and several nearby businesses were also attacked.
Police response and arrests
Riot police clashed with protesters, using tear gas and water cannons to disperse them. Albania's state-run news agency said 16 people were arrested "in connection with violent acts" during Tuesday's protest.
Albania does not need to burn to change
— Albana Koçiu
What officials and protesters said
Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu called for "calmness, self-restraint and maturity" and said "Albania does not need to burn to change". Education Minister Mirela Kumbaro said she respects the right to protest but that "civic student protest and violence against public buildings and property are two different things". Economy minister Delina Ibrahimaj said setting fire to an institution is not a peaceful protest and endangers people's lives.
Protesters Enida Bimi and Arber Leshi told Reuters the demonstrations are for all Albanians and reflect anger at corruption. Opposition Democratic Party leader Sali Berisha praised the students, saying the streets of Tirana had never seen lions like them. The student protests follow months of anti-government demonstrations known as the Flamingo Revolution, which calls for Prime Minister Edi Rama to resign.
