In brief
Today a wave of student protests swept Tirana, with demonstrators breaking into the education ministry, setting its northern wing ablaze and targeting the prime minister’s office, finance and interior ministries. Police responded with tear gas and water cannons, arresting sixteen protestors for violent acts. Albanian Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu called for calm, warning that burning buildings would not lead to change, while protesters blamed rampant corruption and a lack of transparency. The unrest is part of the larger Flamingo Revolution, sparked last year by a controversial luxury resort plan linked to former U.S. President Trump’s son‑in‑law.
Student protests in Tirana ignite government buildings
Thousands of Albanian students marched on Tirana’s key ministries today, breaking into the education ministry and setting parts of it on fire while smashing windows at the prime minister’s office, finance and interior ministries.
Police responded with tear gas and water cannons, arresting sixteen protestors for violent acts and confronting demonstrators who poured rocks and firecrackers through the ministries’ gates.
Albania’s Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu urged calm and warned that “Albania does not need to burn to change.” Protest slogans blamed the country’s deep‑seated corruption, with chants of “the most corrupt government our country has ever seen” echoing through the streets.
The unrest is part of the larger Flamingo Revolution, which surged after a luxury tourism project linked to Jared Kushner’s circle sparked widespread anger last summer. The movement now demands the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama and a complete overhaul of the administration.
