Police used water cannon and tear gas as anti-government protests continued in Tirana on October 19. Students demanding better university conditions and an end to corruption joined calls for Edi Rama to resign. The Albanian prime minister defended the police response, rejected an early departure and said he was willing to talk with peaceful protesters.
Anti-government demonstrations continued in Tirana, Albania’s capital, on October 19, with fresh confrontations between police and protesters. Police deployed water cannon and tear gas as Prime Minister Edi Rama faced calls to resign. He rejected leaving office early and condemned violence during the demonstrations. Students were among those protesting university conditions, high tuition costs and corruption.[1], [2]
The BBC’s reporter saw protesters lifting paving stones around Rinia Park while police advanced with armoured vehicles. Riot police pursued groups composed largely of students through the park. Some sought refuge in a cafe where staff were also affected by gas, and volunteers helped people suffering from the fumes. The reporter also saw an officer use pepper spray at close range against a young man during an argument.[1]
Rama said he was ready to speak with peaceful protesters but rejected a change of government before his mandate ends in 2029. He alleged foreign interference; Citizens.al said he supplied no concrete evidence for that accusation. Human-rights lawyer Gentian Sejrani told the BBC he was assisting more than 100 detainees and argued that police often lacked sufficient evidence in court. His criticism concerned the handling of detained protesters.[1]
