Albanian Police Use Tear Gas in Tirana Clashes

Authorities in Tirana reported that more than 300 protesters and police officers were injured on Saturday after law enforcement deployed tear gas and water cannons to break up an antigovernment rally. Dozens of demonstrators were arrested during the confrontation, which marked a sharp escalation in tensions that have persisted since mid-October.

The violence erupted as thousands of people gathered in the capital, responding to calls from student groups and organizers across the country. The crowd included university professors, artists, and members of opposition parties who pledged support for the demonstration. Police heightened security measures in the city, conducting vehicle checks on roads leading into Tirana to monitor the influx of attendees.

The Ministry of Education served as a primary target for the protesters. Demonstrators hurled stones at the building and pushed burning trash bins toward its entrance. The ministry has been a central point of contention in the ongoing unrest, which initially focused on deteriorating school conditions and the rising cost of living in the Balkan state.

This latest clash follows a period of relative calm in recent days. However, the broader movement has intensified since May, when public anger was triggered by reports of a luxury hotel project linked to the family of U.S. President Donald Trump. The protest base has since expanded beyond that single issue to challenge government corruption and high living costs more broadly.

Prime Minister Edi Rama, a Socialist, has sought to manage the crisis by inviting dialogue. On Saturday, red cushions were placed outside the government headquarters as a symbolic gesture to encourage negotiation. Protesters responded by setting the cushions on fire. Rama has previously attributed the instability to foreign actors, specifically accusing Russia and Iran of spreading online misinformation to fuel the unrest.

The demonstrators have cast a wide net of blame, directing criticism at the entire political establishment. Signs within the crowd criticized Sali Berisha, the centre-right leader and Rama’s main political rival, indicating that the frustration extends beyond the governing Socialist party.