More than 300 demonstrators and police were injured in the heaviest clashes in days in Albania’s capital Tirana.
Published October 24, 2026
Demonstrators clashed with police at a rally in Albania’s capital Tirana, with police firing tear gas and water cannon to disperse the crowd.
Authorities said Saturday that several government buildings were attacked, dozens of protesters were arrested and more than 300 demonstrators and police officers were injured.
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Demonstrators and police have clashed regularly since large-scale protests began in mid-October over poor school conditions and the cost of living in the small Balkan nation.
Protests in Tirana had subsided in recent days, but the situation escalated again during Saturday’s demonstrations, with police firing water cannons, tear gas and rubber bullets into the crowd.
Thousands of people heeded organizers’ call to students and others across Albania to participate in the rally. A variety of groups, including university professors, artists, and opposition parties, expressed support and attendance.
The country’s Ministry of Education has been a focal point of the rallies, and Saturday’s rally saw some in the crowd throwing stones and rolling burning garbage at the building.
Police tightened security around the capital on Saturday and carried out checks on cars heading into the city, local media said.
Albania has been experiencing intermittent anti-government protests since May, when news broke of plans for a luxury hotel linked to US President Donald Trump’s family.
Demonstrators target the prime minister
Since then, public anger has turned into widespread pressure over corruption and high living costs, with demonstrators demanding the resignation of Socialist Prime Minister Edi Rama.
Prime Minister Rama blamed “foreign actors” for the violence and accused both Russia and Iran of spreading misinformation online.
The prime minister has called for dialogue and red cushions symbolizing dialogue and dialogue were placed outside government headquarters on Saturday. The protesters then set the cushions on fire.
Demonstrators blamed the entire political class for the crisis, with some holding placards denouncing Rama’s opponent, center-right leader Sali Berisha.
