Protests escalate in Tirana, flames near Parliament Presidency and tear gas fired at crowd

The protest in the capital has entered a tense phase after demonstrators opened the door of the Parliament Presidency building, while a fire was lit at its entrance.

Police forces repeatedly used tear gas and threw explosive canisters in an effort to disperse the protesters.

The gathering continued for several hours, with participants spreading across different areas of Tirana, from the Prime Minister’s Office to the Pyramid and ultimately the Parliament Presidency.

Even after officers intervened, citizens remained in the streets, while repeated calls for resignation could be heard in the square.

During the developments, several young people set fire to rubbish bins. Incidents were also reported near institutions, where tables and chairs were taken out of buildings and subsequently engulfed in flames.

Clashes between protesters and police accompanied the final hours of the gathering, further worsening the situation on the ground.

The protesters are demanding the departure of Prime Minister Edi Rama and the resignation of his government.

The young people’s reaction is taking place amid a tense political atmosphere, with a number of scandals also in focus, including the AKSHI case and developments related to the State Intelligence Service (SHISH).

Their dissatisfaction is also linked to the degraded state of education, the lack of conditions in dormitories, rising prices and the lack of government support.

Calls for the government’s ouster continue, while Tirana’s main boulevard and the areas near state institutions remain tense.

For 135 consecutive days, citizens have protested in Tirana, joined by Albanians from the Diaspora. Their demand has been the departure of Prime Minister Edi Rama and his government, whom they accuse of corruption.

Meanwhile, students have continued their protest for two days. As announced, it began on October 13, 2026, at 14:00, outside the Ministry of Education, and later escalated.

The protest continued today, while students and young people began marching at 09:00. They boycotted classes and initially gathered near the Ministry of Education.

The gathering is still under way and the situation remains escalated.