Student protesters attack government buildings in Albania

Thousands of students attacked multiple government buildings in Albania's capital Tirana on Wednesday, setting part of the education ministry ablaze and targeting the prime minister's office, finance ministry, and interior ministry during the second day of violent demonstrations.

The protests began Tuesday outside the ministry of education, with students demanding better university conditions and job prospects. By Wednesday, dozens of masked protesters threw rocks and firecrackers at government buildings. Riot police responded with tear gas and water cannons. Sixteen people were arrested in connection with violent acts during Tuesday's protest, according to Albania's state-run news agency.

Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu called for "calmness, self-restraint and maturity," stating "Albania does not need to burn to change."

Protesters framed the unrest as broader dissatisfaction with the government. Demonstrator Enida Bimi told Reuters the protest represents "all the people of Albania," citing anger over corruption and crime. Another protester, Arber Leshi, described the government as "the most corrupt our country has ever seen."

Government officials condemned the violence. Education Minister Mirela Kumbaro said she respects protest rights but distinguished between "civic student protest and violence against public buildings and property." Economy Minister Delina Ibrahimaj stated that "setting fire to an institution is not a peaceful protest. It is an act that endangers peoples lives."

The student-led demonstrations are linked to months of broader anti-government protests called the Flamingo Revolution, which calls for Prime Minister Edi Rama's resignation. Those protests were triggered by a luxury tourism project involving Jared Kushner, which fueled anger over alleged corruption and lack of transparency.

Opposition leader Sali Berisha praised the student protesters, telling a Wednesday evening meeting that "the streets and squares of Tirana have never seen lions like these students," according to Albania's state-run news agency Ata.