Protests enter fourth day: 47 arrested, Rama refuses to resign as tensions spread to other cities

University and high school students are continuing their protests today for the fourth consecutive day. The previous day saw clashes with police, damage to institutions and public and private property, and rallies in several cities.

Prime Minister Edi Rama refused to resign, despite protesters giving him a deadline of 1 p.m. on Thursday.

They warned that if their demand was rejected, they would march to the President’s Office to call for Parliament to be dissolved.

Updated figures for Tirana show that 47 people have been arrested for property destruction, while 92 others are facing proceedings without being held in custody.

Police reported that state institutions, banks, businesses, ATMs, cameras, traffic lights and vehicles were damaged during the October 14 protest. A police vehicle was set on fire.

The march in the capital began at the Ministry of Education and continued toward the Socialist Party headquarters, the Bank of Albania, Tirana City Hall and then the Prime Minister’s Office.

Stones, hard objects and Molotov cocktails were thrown during the clashes, while police used water and tear gas to disperse the crowd. Tensions also flared on Elbasan Street, where a kiosk caught fire.

Rallies were also held in Durrës, Shkodër, Korçë, Elbasan and Kamzë. In Shkodër, the Socialist Party and Democratic Party buildings were attacked.

Public order police commander Fasli Rama was seriously injured when a stone struck him in the head and was taken to Tirana for specialized treatment.

In Durrës, young people set fire to rubbish bins and trees near City Hall, while the door of the Prefecture building was also reportedly broken. Tensions were recorded in Elbasan, where protesters were taken into police custody.

University and high school students in several cities boycotted classes. In Korçë, more than 80% of students at the Faculty of Agriculture were absent from lectures, while in Shkodër, students at the Faculty of Foreign Languages held a protest.

In Tirana, students from the “Ismail Qemali” and “Petro Nini Luarasi” high schools were involved in tense incidents; students from Kamza also joined the march.

State Police Director Skënder Hita urged protesters to distance themselves from violence and warned that the law would be enforced if tensions escalated.

Police called on parents to keep their children away from clashes after observing minors on the front lines of the protests. Education Minister Mirela Kumbaro also urged parents not to allow their children to become involved in acts of violence and called for protests to give way to dialogue.

The plenary session has been postponed by one week, Parliament Speaker Niko Peleshi announced, saying the decision was intended to avoid further provocations.

He condemned the violence and warned that an escalation could harm Albania’s European integration. President Bajram Begaj called for calm and inclusive dialogue, while the OSBE Presence in Albania expressed its readiness to help facilitate dialogue between the parties.

The Socialist Party said those responsible for acts of violence would face legal consequences. Meanwhile, Shkodër Municipality has begun installing metal barriers at its building ahead of the announced protests.

In responses to Reuters, Rama said governments are changed through democratic elections and that he would not allow violence to jeopardize Albania’s goal of joining the European Union.

He said he was willing to discuss rising education costs but stressed that attacks on institutions and damage to property had nothing to do with students’ legitimate demands.

As the protests enter their fourth day, attention is focused on the continuation of rallies and the response of institutions following rising tensions and the prime minister’s refusal to step down.