Clashes, arson and corruption scandals: What's behind Albania's protests
Albania gripped by protests, demonstrators demand government's resignation (photo: Getty Images)
Police in Albania used tear gas and water cannons to disperse demonstrators. Clashes erupted after some protesters headed toward the government building, while others stayed outside the Interior Ministry, Bloomberg reports.
Eyewitnesses say that police surrounded protesters who approached the government building and used water cannons and tear gas against them.
The police intervention came as demonstrators dispersed across several areas of the capital. Protests are happening simultaneously in several locations, and law enforcement has increased its presence to keep the situation under control.
Earlier, demonstrators and students gathered outside the Ministry of Education. The protest began peacefully, but protesters later started throwing stones at the building. Police responded by deploying water cannons. The situation eventually escalated into violent clashes.
Police in #Albania used tear gas and water cannons to disperse protesters.
— RBC-Ukraine (@NewsUkraineRBC) October 24, 2026
The clashes erupted after some demonstrators headed toward the government building, while others remained outside the Interior Ministry.
Protesters in #Albania are demanding better education, greater… pic.twitter.com/vrZcu7ow7K
Student protests in Albania have continued for 12 days, with demonstrators demanding the government's resignation.
An even larger crowd gathered on October 24 as university lecturers, schoolteachers, opposition politicians, and other public figures joined forces with students.
"Clashes centered on the capital's main boulevard, where protesters pulled paving stones from sidewalks and threw objects at police. Rubbish bins were set on fire as confrontations spread to other parts of the capital," journalists reported.
Protesters in Albania are demanding better education, greater opportunities, and political change, including the government's resignation. The demand for the government's resignation followed a series of major corruption scandals involving members of Prime Minister Edi Rama's team.
RBC-Ukraine previously reported that on October 24, France was swept by a new wave of protests, with demonstrators demanding President Emmanuel Macron's resignation.
It was also reported that the situation in the country was escalating, with police using tear gas.
