Protesters gathered in the Albanian capital Tirana on Saturday, as students joined with a wider anti-government protest. According to Associated Press protesters chanted slogans and hurled stones at the police and buildings as the police in return used water cannons to disperse the protesters. For over a week, the protesters have hurled rocks, flares, firebombs and fireworks at police who have used batons, water cannons and tear gas in clashes in the city center. Albanian students are demanding lower tuition fees, greater state investment in education and protesting corruption in the education system. They have joined a broader anti-government movement calling for the resignation of socialist Prime Minister Edi Rama. The latest protests follow months of rallies organized by the so-called Flamingo movement, opposing a major luxury tourism development on Albania’s southern coast linked to an investment firm founded by Jared Kushner, U.S. President Donald Trump’s son-in-law. Albania is one of a number of European countries experiencing protests over rising fuel costs, discontent with the state of schools, declining public services and a housing crisis, including France and Italy.
Source: Kanal13
