In brief
In Tirana, Albania, thousands of students stormed key government buildings, setting part of the education ministry ablaze. Police responded with tear gas and water cannons, while Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu urged calm. Protesters claim corruption and poor university conditions fuel their anger. The unrest is part of the broader Flamingo Revolution demanding Prime Minister Edi Rama’s resignation.
Thousands of students marched through the streets of Tirana on Tuesday and Wednesday, demanding better university conditions and wider job prospects. The protests turned violent when a section of the education ministry was set on fire and other key buildings—including the prime minister’s office and finance ministry—were attacked.
What went down: Protesters, many wearing gas masks and balaclavas, threw rocks, firecrackers and bricks. Police responded with tear gas and water cannons, choking the crowds and causing chaos.
Voices from the front line: Enida Bimi said the protest isn’t just about students – “it’s for all the people of Albania.” Arber Leshi decried the government as the “most corrupt ever.”
Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu called for calm, insisting that “Albania does not need to burn to change.” The economy minister later condemned the arson, saying it endangers people’s lives.
Sixteen protesters were arrested for violent acts. These riots are the latest flare‑up in the Flamingo Revolution—sparked by a luxury resort plan linked to Trump’s son‑in‑law—that seeks Prime Minister Edi Rama’s resignation.
