Protests paralyse Tirana for a third day as clashes spread across Albania

Student-led demonstrators clashed with police in the Albanian capital Tirana on Thursday, 15 October 2026, the third consecutive day of anti-government unrest. Thousands marched through the city centre, bringing the capital to a standstill, while smaller clashes broke out in at least three other Albanian cities.

Key facts

• Where: Tirana city centre, with smaller clashes in at least three other cities
• When: Thursday 15 October 2026, after clashes on Tuesday and Wednesday
• Who is involved: student groups and high school students, and riot police using tear gas and water cannons
• Injuries: national police chief Skender Hita said 71 officers were injured; dozens of people were hurt on Wednesday
• Disruption: marches through central Tirana stopped the city; buildings, banks and businesses were attacked on Wednesday

What is happening?

Youths threw rocks at a police cordon outside the Education Ministry, and riot police responded with tear gas and water cannons. Police detained several demonstrators, according to the account of the day's events. Protesters in masks aimed fireworks at government offices and set fire to trash bins, filling the air with smoke during live television broadcasts.

On Thursday, high school students joined thousands of protesters marching through the centre of Tirana, chanting for Prime Minister Edi Rama to resign. The rallies began peacefully but turned violent when they met police cordons, and groups of youths also broke away to attack government buildings and commercial storefronts. On Wednesday, hours-long riots left dozens of people injured as protesters attacked government buildings, banks and businesses.

Why are people protesting?

The demonstrations are led by student groups seeking education reforms. They have joined a movement known as the "flamingo movement", which demands the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama over allegations of widespread corruption and opposes a large luxury tourism development on Albania's southern coast associated with an investment firm founded by Jared Kushner. The movement takes its name from protest signs showing the pink birds, which live in their thousands in a nature reserve on the island where the development is planned.

What have officials said?

National police chief Skender Hita said 71 officers had been injured and urged police to act with "professionalism and restraint", adding that the police guarantee the right to peaceful protest but that it cannot be used as cover for violence, arson and vandalism. Police focused on protecting government buildings and joined officials in appealing to parents to keep their teenage children at home. Education Minister Mirela Kumbaro issued a similar appeal in a video message.

Rama accused political opponents of inciting the violence and said he would stay on as prime minister to further Albania's bid to join the European Union. His Socialists won a fourth consecutive election victory last year, and the next parliamentary election is not due until 2029. The opposition Democratic Party backed the student protests and called for a caretaker government and early elections, and said it had retained lawyers to assist detained protesters. A European Union delegation in Albania called late Wednesday for a proportionate response from authorities, expressing concern at the escalation of violence in Tirana.

What this means for travellers

Anyone in or travelling to Tirana should expect disruption in the city centre, where marches stopped the capital on Thursday and smoke and tear gas filled the air around clashes. Smaller clashes have also been reported in at least three other Albanian cities, and protest organisers have said they will gather in the square every day. Travellers should check local conditions before moving through central Tirana and avoid protest areas and gatherings.