Protesters started a blaze at Albania’s Education Ministry overnight after a second day of student protests in the country’s capital Tirana that continue unabated. Demonstrators broke in overnight on Tuesday and lit a fire inside of the building, according to police, adding that the violence resulted in 16 arrests. Protesters continued to rally on Wednesday.
Hundreds of students gathered and slung rocks at the ministry, as they demanded better university conditions and the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama. In an attempt to break up the crowds, riot police responded with tear gas and water cannons. Demonstrators also ripped out nearby fencing and used it to block the street.
Hundreds of people rallied on Tuesday in front of the Education Ministry, after fierce protests broke out in Tirana on Monday. The movement started in protest of a resort project in a protected area of southern Albania linked to the son-in-law of US President Donald Trump, Jared Kushner. The project fuelled anger over alleged corruption and a lack of transparency, with protesters demanding Rama’s resignation.
Students told local media that the protests were against university conditions, tuition fees and a lack of support for young people.
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