Violent protests in Albania have entered their second week, with demonstrators briefly entering the Supreme Court building in Tirana as police deployed tear gas, water cannons and rubber bullets to disperse crowds. Prime Minister Edi Rama has refused to resign despite mounting pressure from protesters.
Clashes continued on October 19 in several Albanian cities, where demonstrators threw stones and Molotov cocktails at police officers.
In the capital, protesters attempted to enter the Ministry of Education and the Prime Minister’s Office before briefly gaining access to the Supreme Court building.
The unrest has developed into a political confrontation between the government and demonstrators demanding change.
Protesters Enter Supreme Court as Police Respond With Force
According to Euronews Serbia, Albanian police used tear gas, water cannons and rubber bullets during confrontations with protesters in several cities.
In Tirana, demonstrators targeted multiple government institutions as tensions escalated.
The Supreme Court building was briefly entered by protesters, while attempts were also made to breach the Ministry of Education and the Prime Minister’s Office.
Police responded to stones and Molotov cocktails thrown during the demonstrations.
The protests, which have continued for more than a week, have involved repeated confrontations between security forces and demonstrators.
The latest developments have increased pressure on the Albanian government, although Prime Minister Edi Rama has rejected demands for his resignation.
Edi Rama Refuses to Resign but Offers Dialogue
Rama accused violent groups, rather than students, of being responsible for the destruction and disorder in Albanian cities.
He claimed that members of what he described as a terrorist “Antifa” movement were behind the violence. The accusation was made by the prime minister and has not been independently established.
Rama warned that individuals responsible for violence would face arrest and be required to compensate for damage caused during the demonstrations.
He also said parents could be held financially responsible for damage committed by minors.
Despite his criticism of the protesters, Rama said he remained willing to engage in dialogue.
“I am for dialogue at any time, on any day, in any place and with anyone,” Rama said, excluding political groups he accused of supporting violence and those attacking police officers.
He argued that political solutions could not be imposed through violence or disorder.
The prime minister also rejected proposals that would force changes in the country’s leadership, describing such demands as unacceptable.
His refusal to step down suggests that the confrontation between the government and protesters could continue.
With demonstrations entering their second week, the situation in Tirana and other Albanian cities remains tense.
Authorities have warned of further arrests, while the government maintains that dialogue is possible only with those who reject violence.
