Since 09:00 in the morning, students have continued their protest for the third day in a row. The scenario has been similar to that of the previous two days, with tensions and attacks on several major institutions in the center of Tirana.
Protesters have attacked the buildings of the Prime Minister's Office, the Parliament, the Municipality of Tirana and the Puppet Theatre. They have also attempted to attack the headquarters of the Socialist Party, but have dispersed after the intervention of the police, who have used tear gas.
Rama: Withdrawal only through democratic elections
During the evening, the protest centered in front of the Prime Minister's Office, where damage was also caused to several private businesses. A kiosk was engulfed in flames after protesters set it on fire.
Police have dispersed the protesters with tear gas. The protesters are demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama. However, the latter has stated that he will not resign and that his removal will take place through democratic elections.
Students and high school students have already joined the protest that began months ago, marching and escalating their expressions of indignation. As a result, there are clashes between them and the police. The protest is spreading to other cities such as Durrës, Shkodër, Korçë.
On Tuesday and Wednesday (13.10 - 14.10.2026) there were violent clashes in Tirana for several hours between police and protesters. The demonstrators forced their way into several government buildings and set fire to at least one of them.
EU calls for restraint
The European Union delegation in Tirana reiterated its previous calls for a reduction in tensions and strongly condemned "the violent escalation during the protest and the destruction of public and private property."
"We call on protesters to show restraint and refrain from any acts of violence. Violence has no place in democracy," the statement said.
On Wednesday, the EU also called for an immediate investigation into allegations of excessive use of force by police.
For more than four months, anti-government protests in Albania have regularly gathered thousands of participants. / DW
