New clashes between protesters and police broke out on Saturday (October 24) in Tirana, with the Albanian capital once again turning into a battlefield. Protesters threw rocks, Molotov cocktails, and fireworks at police, who responded with tear gas, water cannons, pepper spray, and rubber bullets in an attempt to disperse the crowds.
At the same time, the stance of the students is taking on particular political significance, as they are not only turning against Edi Rama’s government but are also keeping a clear distance from the opposition. The young people chose to gather outside the Ministry of Education, avoiding participation in the rally previously announced by Democratic Party leader Sali Berisha, outside the Prime Minister’s Office. This development confirms that a significant portion of the movement does not wish to be associated with the country’s traditional political forces.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
Eskalon protesta në Tiranë. https://t.co/QYhHS6umdc
— Xhemajl Rexha (@xhemajl_rexha) October 24, 2026
The clashes began outside the Ministry of Education, where students and other protesters had gathered, continuing the demonstrations that have been ongoing since October 13.
After three relatively calm days, tensions flared up again when groups of protesters began throwing stones and fireworks at police forces. The police responded immediately, using water cannons and tear gas to disperse the crowd gathered outside the ministry.
The clashes then shifted to the central “Dëshmorët e Kombit” boulevard, where new head-on confrontations broke out between police and protesters.
— shteg.org (@shteginvestigim) October 24, 2026
LIVE | Protesta në Tiranë | Protest in Tirana | 24.10.2026 https://t.co/sdXQK9oakP
According to the latest reports from Albanian media, the protesters split into two groups, while some attempted to move toward the Prime Minister’s Office.
A suffocating atmosphere prevailed in the area due to the use of tear gas, while police forces continued their dispersal operations using high-pressure water cannons.
TIRANË, ALBANIA. 24TH OF OCTOBER 2026.
— Shefqet Fejzohttps://t.co/VGTb1kV57S
(@ShefqetFejzo11) October 24, 2026
Reports of the use of rubber bullets are causing particular concern. According to Albanian media reports, at 3:37 p.m. local time, an order was given to use them during the operation to disperse the protesters.
— Kruja Chronicles (@FilteredZero) October 24, 2026
‘Durrës Street’ in Tirana as a ‘war arena’/ Protesters throw stones, police respond with tear gas and water! #tirana #protest #albania https://t.co/ae3tRZFit5
— Lavdrim Lita (@lavdrimlita) October 24, 2026
Protesters were affected by the use of pepper spray, while Democratic Party MP Gin Gjoni appeared to be experiencing eye irritation due to the tear gas.
Source: Proto Thema
