Buildings set ablaze, windows smashed in violent Albanian protests

The capital city of Tirana, Albania witnessed violent protests on Wednesday, triggered by student demonstrations demanding improved university conditions and the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama. The clashes intensified into a second day of unrest, with demonstrators targeting government buildings and shops in the city center.

Throughout the day, police responded with water cannons and tear gas as crowds of protesters hurled paving stones and petrol bombs. In some instances, demonstrators even set a building ablaze. Riot police attempted to disperse the crowd, but the protesters showed little inclination to retreat.

Protesters also attacked the finance ministry, using barricades to smash windows and break down doors. At one point, two individuals managed to scale the wall of the education ministry and tossed flares inside, causing thick black smoke to billow from a window. Firefighters swiftly extinguished the resulting blaze.

The European Union, which strives for Albania's membership, expressed concern over the "violent escalation" at the protest in Tirana. The EU delegation in the capital called for a swift investigation and urged all parties to de-escalate tensions.

Prior to the current protests, anti-government demonstrations in Tirana had been ongoing for months, with the original rally calling for Rama's resignation and increased support for students. However, the unrest has since expanded beyond these initial demands, fueled by other grievances such as corruption allegations surrounding a luxury tourism project linked to the Trump family and a demand for better university conditions, lower tuition fees, and greater support for young people.