Tensions flared in front of the Prime Minister’s Office when police detained two protesters, Edison Lika and Dritan Goxhja, for refusing a fine. After the crowd tried to stop the police van, officers deployed tear gas to scatter the demonstrators.

Today’s gathering followed an earlier protest, where a group of students marched from the Polytechnic University to the Faculty of Economics and the Ministry of Education. After demonstrating there for several hours, they moved on to the Prime Minister’s Office.

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The situation was calm, with no incidents or clashes with police forces reported.

Protesters are demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama and a complete overhaul of the country’s political class. However, past demonstrations have been marred by violence and intense clashes with the police.

While the head of government has repeatedly called for dialogue, these invitations have been consistently rejected. /gj.m/j.p/p.s./

Today’s gathering followed a protest held earlier in the day, during which a group of students assembled around midday—initially in front of the Polytechnic University—before marching to other faculties in Tirana, entering lecture halls and interrupting the teaching process.

The students have since returned to their lecture halls, following an agreement reached within their social media groups.

The remaining protesters in front of the Prime Minister’s Office have continued to voice calls against the government; in addition to demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama, they are also calling for a change in the country’s political establishment.

Throughout the afternoon, the young people consulted with one another to discuss the schedule for ongoing protests.

The evening’s protest was held without incident while the protesters have signaled that they will continue their mobilization until their demands are met. /m.m/j.p/p.s./

Tensions remain high during the protest in Tirana; at the entrance to “Myslym Shyri” street, the protesters dragged trash containers into the road and set them on fire, creating a barricade against the police forces.

Meanwhile, the police officers continue to advance toward the street entrance, supported by foot units and a water cannon vehicle.

Meanwhile, tensions remain high in central Tirana as most protesters retreated to Skanderbeg Square, staying clear of police lines and heavy smoke along the boulevard, while a smaller group gathered near the Skanderbeg monument. Police units have formed tight security cordons outside government buildings, remaining on high alert near the Ministry of the Interior. The situation escalated when protesters set fire to the Ministry of the Environment, triggering clashes with police that spilled down “Martyrs of Nation” boulevard and into the main square. There, several young demonstrators broke apart benches from an art installation to gather stones and hard objects to hurl at law enforcement.

Protesters also moved to the “December 21^” intersection, where they set fire to trash bins in the middle of the road, blocking vehicular traffic.

In addition to the “December 21” intersection, protesters have gathered in the green space of Skanderbeg Square, near the General Directorate of the State Police, and in the vicinity of the Tirana City Hall. The protest has been marked by acts of violence and tension in several areas of the capital, with trash bins set on fire and clashes reported between protesters and police forces.

The boulevard is filled with State Police personnel, primarily officers from the Rapid Intervention Force (FNSH). A water cannon vehicle advanced toward protesters gathered near the park area in Skanderbeg Square and police used high-pressure water to disperse them.

Masked protesters have also positioned themselves opposite the Rapid Intervention Force units, throwing stones at the police. Meanwhile, trash bins continue to burn in various parts of the capital. /p.s./

So far, the protest has remained peaceful, with no signs of heightened tension or clashes between the young demonstrators and the police. However, along “Martyrs of the Nation” boulevard, a group of protesters tore down a bus stop near the Prime Minister’s Office. Nearby, others uprooted two basketball hoops close to the busts of the Frashëri brothers.

Holding placards and chanting, protesters gathered in the middle of boulevard, facing a line of police officers.

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Rama pointed to Russia, Iran, the Antifa movement and political and religious extremists—as well as Democratic Party (DP) leader Sali Berisha—as part of a complex web of influences fueling the protesters.

“The protest is being fueled by foreign hands,” Rama declared, also referring to false claims circulating on social media regarding the alleged presence of Israeli nationals and Serbian police officers in Albania.

The prime minister also spoke of an incident two days ago, where an explosive-laden drone was neutralized. The device was suspected of targeting the Prime Minister’s Office to ignite a fire in the building’s inner courtyard.

“Two days ago, an explosive-laden drone—intended to strike the Prime Minister’s Office by setting fire to the wooden structure in the inner courtyard—was neutralized. God only knows what the consequences could have been. No student, no minor, would ever conceive of such a thing, let alone carry it out. This is the work of a foreign hand,” stated Rama. /gj.m/ /a.g/p.s./

Protesters gathered outside the Prime Minister’s Office this afternoon, pelting police officers with stones. In response, police deployed tear gas and water cannons to disperse the crowd.

After protesters spent more than two hours outside the Prime Minister’s Office, police dispersed the crowd and formed a cordon at the Lana river bridge.

During the clashes with police, protesters also hurled fireworks at them. Meanwhile, groups of masked youths continued their rampage, smashing traffic lights on Martyrs of the Nation Boulevard and damaging a commercial bank in Unknown Soldier Square, where they also set fire to trash bins.

Similar clashes have taken place several times throughout the day, with protesters throwing stones and the police responding with water cannons and tear gas.

The students and citizens have continued their protest in Tirana—now in its fourth day—to express their dissatisfaction with the country’s current political class. /k.s/p.s./

Holding placards, protesters demonstrated against the Rama government, accusing it of “selling off” Albania through controversial tourism projects. What began on May 31 as a targeted protest against the Zvërnec investment has since expanded. The civic movement now demands the reversal of legal amendments to protected areas and the cancellation of the “Mountain Package.”

Speaking from an improvised podium outside the government building, activist Sidorela Vatnikaj stated: “We are here again tonight to demand the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama and his entire cabinet. Hundreds of protesters have gathered in Brussels to tell European institutions the truth about Albania. This protest reflects the fact that Albanians have learned that freedom and dignity are won by fighting the corrupt 36-year-old system. We are here, and we will remain here alongside outraged citizens because Albania and the Albanian people demand a revolution,” said Vatnikaj. /k.s/r.e/p.s./

Protesters gathered in Skanderbeg square before marching down the boulevard toward the Prime Minister’s Office. Upon arriving outside the government building, they delivered speeches outlining their grievances and demanding the removal of what they call the “old political caste.”

The demonstrators’ primary demand remains the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama. Their platform also calls for a transitional government with a 12-month mandate to prepare the country for upcoming elections. Emphasizing that they will not back down, the citizens are also calling for the repeal of several recent legislative initiatives. These include parliamentary legal amendments passed in 2024, the law on protected areas and the controversial “Mountains Package,” all of which they claim harm the interests of Albanian citizens.

The organizers have stated that the protest will continue in the coming days and that they will not back down until their demands are met. /e.xh/a.f/p.s./

In a response sent to the Prime Minister’s Office, Sadushi reiterated the stance he expressed at a meeting of judges a few days ago: that discussing the issue of magistrate salaries while the matter is pending before the Constitutional Court would be inappropriate.

According to him, the Constitutional Court has the final say on a constitutional issue that is already under judicial review.

Sadushi stressed that not participating in the September 28 roundtable does not prevent future institutional dialogue.

President of the Supreme Court added that both he and the institution he represents remain fully open to such dialogue.

The roundtable convened by PM Rama for tomorrow is expected to bring together representatives from justice institutions and magistrate associations to discuss the new salary scheme. Meanwhile, the issue of changes to magistrates’ salaries is currently under review by the Constitutional Court, following a request for a review of the relevant law. /p.s./