TIRANA, Oct 20 /ATA/ Lecturers and students, after gathering for about three hours in front of the Prime Minister’s Office, marched through the streets of Tirana and assembled in front of the Ministry of Education.
Protesters remained outside the ministry, and no stone-throwing or pyrotechnic devices were reported, unlike in previous gatherings.
Earlier today, the Union of University Employees of Albania (SPUSH) joined the students, who have been protesting for seven consecutive days in Tirana.
Academic staff have launched a petition calling on authorities to heed student demands. SPUSH President Aleksandër Kovaçi emphasized the urgency of the moment, telling reporters that the union’s leadership has moved its executive meetings directly onto the streets to support the demonstration.
“In light of the ongoing student boycott and sustained demonstrations, the Union Leadership formally backs the walkout across our entire membership,” stated Kovaçi. “Faculty members stand firmly behind the students through a strike and class boycott. We will be out here daily—that is the Union’s official position.”
Kovaçi issued an open call to all university instructors, urging them to assemble daily at 10:00 AM outside the Polytechnic University of Tirana to show solidarity with the student movement.
This decision by SPUSH could also lead to the suspension of classes in university lecture halls across the capital.
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