Albanian prime minister calls for calm after violent student protests in Tirana

Violent anti-government demonstrations continued in Tirana as thousands of student protesters clashed with police over high tuition costs, university conditions, corruption, and limited job prospects. Protesters targeted several state and commercial structures, setting fire to part of the education ministry and damaging offices belonging to the European Union-backed College of Europe alongside local financial institutions. Demonstrators threw stones and petrol bombs at law enforcement, who responded with tear gas and water cannons. Albanian police confirmed at least 16 arrests and dozens of ongoing investigations.

Following three days of unrest, Prime Minister Edi Rama issued a video message urging calm and opening channels for discussion. Rama stated that "genuine students were not responsible" for the damage caused during the demonstrations, framing the youth as the nation's future while calling for peaceful dialogue.

Sources: Balkan Insight, BBC News, Cyprus Mail, OCCRP, Sweden Herald.