Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama announced on Monday, marking the seventh day of violent protests in Tirana, that demonstrators have crossed a “red line” by attacking police and state institutions, according to reports from France Presse.
Since last Tuesday, the Albanian capital has been the site of violent protests involving thousands, mainly young people, who are demanding better educational conditions in universities and calling for the government leader’s resignation.
As in previous days, hundreds gathered at noon outside the Ministry of Education to continue the demonstrations, as observed by AFP journalists.
Some protesters, especially aggressive ones, have set fire to or severely damaged several government buildings, including ministries, courts, banks, and shops in recent days.
On Sunday, they set ablaze a police station and the entrance of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
Daily clashes between protesters and law enforcement have resulted in approximately 300 injuries so far, with nearly two-thirds being police officers, according to the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
Police, under attack with stones, Molotov cocktails, and fireworks, have regularly responded with water cannons, tear gas, and, since Saturday, rubber bullets to disperse crowds.
Increased Bonuses and Salaries for Police Officers
Rama stated, “Protests are a right, while violence is a crime. This red line must be clearly drawn at this critical stage of our democratic development,” in a message posted on Facebook.
The socialist Prime Minister expressed his willingness to engage in dialogue with everyone, except those who resort to violence and political parties that refuse to distance themselves from it.
During a live-streamed meeting with law enforcement members on Monday, the Prime Minister, who has been in power since 2013, praised police commitment during the protests, announcing a bonus of €2,500 for “each frontline police officer” as well as a “significant increase in salaries” for police starting in January.
Rama, who has repeatedly accused “foreign forces” of being behind the unrest, claimed that violent protesters were being “exploited” by the Antifa movement and foreign intelligence services, particularly online, mentioning Russia and Iran.
He contended on Friday that “foreign hands” aim to hinder Albania’s accession process to the European Union (EU).
This escalation follows months of anti-government protests in Albania, initially sparked by a controversial tourism complex project linked to the family of U.S. President Donald Trump.
