Albanian protests intensify as students demand PM Rama resign

Protests in Tirana have escalated over a week, drawing thousands of students and high‑schoolers who joined the demonstrations. According to Euronews, the demonstrations have targeted government buildings and smashed stores in the capital. Al Jazeera reports that the protests have evolved into a broad coalition of students, environmentalists and aggrieved citizens. The movement is described as horizontal and decentralized, with coordination taking place on WhatsApp, Telegram and Snapchat.

Police have used tear gas, water cannon and rubber bullets to disperse the crowds. Euronews reports that around 300 people were injured in the clashes, more than half of them police. The police also fired tear gas to prevent protesters from scaling barricades, according to Al Jazeera. The injuries have been reported by authorities as the main source of police casualties.

Prime Minister Edi Rama said in a statement that the unrest was fueled by a "hybrid war" and that foreign actors were responsible. He blamed Russia and Iran for driving online misinformation, according to Euronews. Rama also hinted at a possible ban on social media for children under 16 and changes to the age of criminal responsibility. He stated that the hybrid war gains traction because it is rooted in genuine grievances, such as the rising cost of living and housing affordability.

Al Jazeera’s interview with Fatos Hakorja, editor‑in‑chief of TV Klan, emphasized that the protests have been organized mainly by young people themselves. Ben Andoni, an Albanian political analyst, described the situation as a "horizontal revolt" that lacks a single leadership group. The lack of a consolidated structure, he said, makes it difficult for the government to negotiate with a single counterpart. The protests have become a serious political challenge for Rama, who has been in power for more than a decade.