Student protests in Albania turn violent as demonstrators clash with police

Government building and two banks set on fire as tens of thousands take to streets over education costs and corruption

Tens of thousands of students have taken to the streets of Tirana, the Albanian capital, setting alight a government building and two banks and hurling stones at police during a protest over rising education costs and ⁠corruption.

The protests are the most violent outburst yet against Edi Rama, ⁠the prime minister, who won a fourth term in office in May last year but has since faced ​growing discontent at perceived graft surrounding top ‌officials. Protesters also dismiss opposition figures ‌as unpalatable alternatives.

The unrest caps a summer of peaceful protests against Rama, triggered by the proposed development ‌of a luxury resort along Albania’s pristine southern coast backed by Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, which has been caught up in legal disputes.

The unrest is part of a ​broader wave of student activism sweeping Europe over education and living conditions. In France, high school students have staged weeks of protests and school blockades demanding more teachers and better facilities, arguing that deteriorating school buildings and overcrowded classrooms are undermining education.

Albana Koçiu, the deputy prime minister of Albania, said on Facebook: “Protesting is a legitimate right, but it cannot be used ​as an excuse for violence, city ​destruction or ugly fighting in the middle ​of the road. I call on ​students and every ‌honest citizen who believes in ​the right to ​protest: distance yourself from violence and vandalism!”

Meanwhile, the EU, which the Balkan nation aspires to join, voiced concern over what it called the “violent escalation at the protest in Tirana”.

Calling for a prompt investigation, the delegation encouraged “all sides to de-escalate the tension”.