Associated Press: Police use tear gas and water cannons against protesters as calls grow for Rama’s resignation; prime minister accuses young people

Police used tear gas and water cannons on Tuesday to disperse protesters in Tirana, as anti-government demonstrations marked their eighth consecutive day amid violent clashes.

Reporting on the situation in Albania, the Associated Press says high school pupils and university students have also joined the protests, calling for lower tuition fees, increased state investment in education and measures to combat corruption in the education system.

The movement has joined a broader wave of anti-government protests calling for the resignation of Socialist Prime Minister Edi Rama.

For several days, protesters have thrown stones, flares, homemade bombs and fireworks at police. Law enforcement forces have responded with batons, tear gas and water cannons, as clashes have centered on the capital’s downtown area.

Rama: Violence will not be allowed

After meeting on Tuesday with teachers and representatives of Tirana schools, Prime Minister Edi Rama described the actions of violent protesters as an attempt to overthrow the government by force.

“A wave of stones, an attempt to overthrow the government and change those in power through the imposition of violence is something that will never be allowed, in any form and for any reason,” Rama said.

The head of government argued that people’s genuine concerns are being exploited by individuals seeking to incite violence during the protests.

“Concerns about the cost of living are certainly real. So are concerns about a secure future, housing and greater opportunities to get ahead,” Rama said, describing the situation as a “hybrid war.”

He also accused protesters of holding the city in a climate of terror and said students taking part in the protests belong to new currents of political extremism.

Protests and social discontent

According to the AP, Albania is part of a broader wave of protests sweeping several European countries, where people are expressing dissatisfaction over the rising cost of living, the state of schools, deteriorating public services and the housing crisis.

Protests over housing prices and the difficulties of making ends meet have also taken place in France, Italy, Spain and Portugal, while demonstrations were also planned in Greece.

In Albania, the latest demonstrations follow months of gatherings organized by the movement known as “Flamingo,” which was formed in opposition to a major luxury tourism project on the country’s southern coast.

Protests in Tirana continue amid calls for changes to education, opposition to corruption and broader social discontent, while clashes between demonstrators and police have escalated in recent days.