Thousands protested in Albania's capital, Tirana, on Saturday (31 October), demanding Prime Minister Edi Rama's resignation over perceived corruption allegations and dissatisfaction with the government over a lack of jobs and poor education standards.
Police used water cannons to disperse demonstrators as tensions rose.
Architecture student Rezarta Sadikaj, 22, said Albanian citizens had been neglected for too long, accusing politicians of corruption and calling for Rama to step down.
Other demonstrators shared similar views. Law student Arlind Fama, 25, vowed that protests would continue until their demands were met and Rama resigned.
“We will never stop these protests. Some days there may be fewer people, students and citizens on the streets, but the demonstrations will continue until Edi Rama resigns,” Fama said.
A 27-year-old protester identified as Evis, who wore a gas mask around his neck, criticised the opposition, saying it had failed to hold the government accountable.
Police deployed water cannons against demonstrators before a small explosion occurred near police positions.
A drone that approached the protesters later crashed into a tree and fell to the ground, prompting cheers from the crowd.
The latest unrest follows months of largely peaceful summer demonstrations against a luxury coastal development backed by Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of U.S. President Donald Trump.
The protests represent a major challenge for Rama, who has been in power since 2013 and secured a fourth term in office last year.
Opposition lawmakers in Albania disrupted a parliament session by letting off flares on Thursday (29 October) following weeks of violent anti-government protests called.
Members of the opposition Democratic Party of Albania also blocked access to the podium when a law on the Central Bank was being voted on.
“These (ruling lawmakers) are criminals and they deserve tear gas, rubber bullets, cracked skulls and broken bones, not the young people,” opposition leader Sali Berisha said during his speech before his microphone was cut off.
Rama has introduced new measures to curb violence, including fines of 500,000 lek ($6,200) for anyone who participates in a protest that turns violent, even if they do not personally commit acts of violence.
He's again called on students for dialogue and introduced new economic measures such as cheaper fuel and more money for poor families in an attempt to stop the violence in the streets.
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