TIRANA, Oct. 13 /ATA/ – Students and other demonstrators gathered outside Ministry of Education in Tirana on Tuesday, demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama and Education Minister.
One student said the protest was not a one-off demonstration and would continue in the coming days.
“We will continue these protests; we are not here for just one day, but for our future. We organised through social media,” he said.
Another student said the concerns raised reflected students’ needs, which he claimed had gone unaddressed for 36 years.
“These are not demands in the usual sense; they are students’ needs that have gone unmet for 36 years. We do not want negotiations with Edi Rama, only his resignation,” the student said.
Chanting slogans including “No Albania without its youth” and “Down with the government”, the protesters said state institutions had failed to respond to their demands.
The demonstration later escalated into violence, with some young protesters throwing firecrackers, stones, water-filled balloons, plastic bottles and eggs at the ministry building.
Protesters also tore down sections of the metal railings and ripped up paving slabs along Durrës Street, while smashing windows at the ministry.
Flares were also thrown during the protest, including in the direction of State Police officers.
A heavy police presence was deployed near the building, alongside a water cannon. Police urged demonstrators to refrain from violent acts.
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