Albanian student protests enter third day as clashes spread in Tirana

Student-led demonstrations and clashes continued in Tirana on Thursday, October 15, for a third consecutive day. Protesters threw rocks at a police cordon outside the Education Ministry; police used tear gas and water cannons and detained several people, the [Associated Press reported](https://apnews.com/article/albania-protests-tirana-police-clashes-2c04ef79a5bbbfcf054b161111c85b50). The latest clashes followed Wednesday’s riots, when demonstrators attacked government buildings, banks and businesses. Albania’s Health Ministry said 89 people received medical care that day, including 61 police officers, according to AP; there is no separate injury count for Thursday in the reports reviewed. Students say they want education reforms and help with rising university costs. They have joined the broader Flamingo movement, which is demanding Prime Minister Edi Rama’s resignation over corruption allegations and opposes a luxury coastal development linked to Jared Kushner’s investment firm. The movement’s allegations remain political claims, not findings established by this protest reporting. [Reuters’ report on Wednesday’s march](https://www.investing.com/news/world-news/banks-buildings-burn-as-albanias-capital-tirana-erupts-into-student-violence-4950878) also describes student demands around university costs, financial support and job prospects. Rama has said he will remain in office and continue Albania’s bid to join the European Union; the opposition has called for a caretaker government and early elections. The EU delegation has urged a proportionate police response and expressed concern about the escalation, as reported by AP. No negotiated next step has been reported. The Associated Press posted this video on October 14; it shows the earlier clashes in Tirana on Tuesday, October 13: https://x.com/AP/status/2110317833536114980 ~worldnews ~albania ~protests ~education