Albanian Police Use Tear Gas as Student-Led Protests in Tirana Turn Violent

Albanian riot police fired tear gas, water cannon and rubber bullets in Tirana on Saturday, October 24, 2026, to disperse protesters who threw rocks at officers and set fire to the door of the agriculture ministry. It was the 12th day of anti-government protests, and police acted after Prime Minister Edi Rama warned he would take strong action. Protesters gathered around 2 p.m. in front of the education ministry before scattering across the city. The student-led demonstrations, fuelled by perceived corruption, a lack of jobs and poor education standards, have spread to other cities this month. Demonstrators demanding Rama's resignation have burned government buildings and banks and smashed shop windows. The unrest follows months of largely peaceful summer protests against a luxury coastal development backed by Jared Kushner, U.S. President Donald Trump's son-in-law. It is the biggest challenge yet to Rama, in power since 2013 and re-elected to a fourth term last year.

Right-leaning outlets had not reported the story at the time of writing, while left-leaning and alternative outlets had, so no left-right comparison is possible. The New York Times, on the left, runs an explainer saying violent protests have resurfaced. It leads with thousands marching over education, the cost of living and a Kushner-linked project, and its excerpt gives no police details. Al Jazeera's headline frames the events as a government crackdown, stressing running battles and Rama's warning. The Hindu stresses protester violence, fires and thrown rocks, and includes a 28-year-old protester, Daniel. All describe violent unrest, student involvement and the Kushner project.