Student protesters attack government buildings in Tirana

Thousands of students in Albania are demanding better university conditions and career prospects, but amid the unrest, buildings have been set on fire.

Student demonstrators attacked government buildings in Albania

In the second day of violent anti-government protests, thousands of students took to the streets in the Albanian capital Tirana and attacked several government buildings.

The demonstration began on Tuesday in front of the Ministry of Education, as students demanded better university conditions and job prospects.

On Wednesday, a part of the building of the Ministry of Education was set on fire, and the office of the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Finance and the Interior, and several nearby commercial companies were also attacked.

Albania's Deputy Prime Minister Albana Kocio called for "calmness, restraint and maturity" and said "Albania does not need to burn for change".

Riot police clashed with the protesters and used tear gas and water cannons to disperse them.

"People are very angry with the system. They have to change things. With all this corruption around, crime and everything else going on. And people are angry now. They have to change the system," Beamy said.

Another protester, Arbor Leshe, said people were angry at "the most corrupt government our country has ever seen."

Education Mirella Kumbaro said that while she respects the right to protest, "student civil protest and violence against public buildings and property are two different things."

Authorities have criticized the behavior of some protesters.

"Burning an institution is not a peaceful protest, but an act that endangers people's lives," Economy Minister Delina Ibrahimaj said in response to a video showing protesters throwing stones at the Ministry of Finance building.

According to Ambassador Arjan Albani, 16 people were arrested in Tuesday's protests "in connection with violent acts".

Sali Berisha, the leader of the opposition - the Democratic Party of Albania - has praised the protesters.

According to Ambassador Arjan Albani Ata, he said in a meeting on Wednesday evening: "The streets and squares of Tirana have never seen lions like these students."

The student-led protests come after months of anti-government protests, known as the Flamingo Revolution, calling for the resignation of Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama.

The protests began over a luxury tourism project linked to Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, fueling anger over alleged corruption and a lack of transparency in the Rama administration.