Student protests shut down parliament and set fire to ministry
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Violent student protests in Tirana have escalated on their third day, forcing the cancellation of the parliamentary plenary session and leading to the Ministry of Interior being set on fire. Demonstrators also attacked several other government institutions and banks, prompting police to deploy water cannons, including a blue solution, against the crowds.
The unrest and academic boycotts have spread beyond the capital, with students and high schoolers in cities like Durrës and Korça joining the protests. Prime Minister Edi Rama addressed the escalating situation from a burned office, asserting that the protests were orchestrated by the opposition and vowing accountability for those responsible.
Erion Veliaj continues to serve as the Mayor of Tirana, having been reinstated by the Constitutional Court on November 3, 2025, after his prior suspension and dismissal were overturned. Bajram Begaj is the current President of Albania, and Edi Rama serves as Prime Minister and Chairman of the ruling Socialist Party. The Democratic Party remains the largest opposition party. Ergys Agasi, a businessman and former official, faces criminal charges and was arrested in August 2026.