Albanian police clash with protesters for eighth day as Rama rejects dialogue calls

Clashes in Tirana

Police fired tear gas and used water cannons to push back protesters on Tuesday, 20 October, the eighth straight day of anti-government demonstrations in the Albanian capital. Protesters moved from the prime minister's office to the Ministry of Education, where pelting with objects and fireworks drew tear gas and water in return. Protesters have hurled rocks, flares, firebombs and fireworks at police, who have answered with batons, water cannons and tear gas in the city centre.

High school and university students are demanding lower tuition fees, more state investment in education and an end to corruption in the education system. Their movement has merged with a broader call for the resignation of Socialist Prime Minister Edi Rama. The Sindikata of teachers, led by lecturer Sandër Kovaçi, has joined them and says it will gather at 10:00 every day in front of the Tirana Polytechnic.

Rama's response

Rama placed seven red-upholstered chairs on the steps of his office with a sign reading "dialogue", but protesters overturned and broke them within hours. Speaking after a meeting with teachers and school representatives, Rama took a harder line.

A wave of stones, an attempt to overthrow the government and change those in power through the imposition of violence -- something that will never be allowed to happen, in…

Rama said legitimate concerns about living costs, housing and the future were being hijacked by people deliberately causing violence. Reports say he warned that parents and pupils would be held to account for violence and damage, and that the government is preparing criminal and administrative measures, including possibly lowering the age of criminal responsibility below 16.

Casualties and legal action

Authorities said 310 people were injured in the first seven days of protests, 191 of them police officers, 88 protesters and 31 passers-by. Health authorities told the public broadcaster RTSH that three of the injuries required surgery. A Tirana court has imposed precautionary measures on eleven of the more than 100 people arrested, including reporting to judicial police and a ban on approaching public institutions within 100 metres.

Wider movement

The Flamingo movement has held months of rallies against a large luxury tourism project on Albania's southern coast linked to an investment firm founded by Jared Kushner. Protests over fuel costs, schools, public services and housing are also taking place in France, Italy, Spain, Portugal and Greece. Former president Ilir Meta, who is in custody on corruption charges, backed the students and teachers from prison in a social media post.