The protest, organized by the Flamingo movement, began over university conditions, higher education costs, financial support, and employment prospects after graduation. Demonstrators hurled bricks and concrete blocks at the ministry building. Police said some attendees continued to assault officers with Molotov cocktails, firecrackers, stones and other hard objects.
“What Albania needs is a revolution, a change, a complete overthrow of the system because it can't go on like this,” protester Luljeta Kola said, adding that there was a deep social divide between the rich and the poor.
Deputy Prime Minister Albana Kociu condemned the violence on Facebook, writing: “Violence has not been, is not, and will never be a solution. Throwing stones, attacking institutions and the state police, as well as the senseless destruction of public property, are not how youth should express themselves.”
Police called on protesters to stop attacking the ministry before the clashes escalated. Tirana has seen previous anti-government demonstrations this year, some of which also turned violent.