Albanian Students Protest Over Education, Jobs, Clash With Police

(Reuters) - Student protesters hurled bricks and concrete blocks at Albania's Education Ministry in Tirana on Tuesday 13 October 2026, and police fired tear gas and water cannons in response, as a nationwide demonstration over education and social issues turned violent.

Police officers detained several protesters.

Student organisers said the protest was over conditions at universities, higher education costs, financial support and employment prospects after graduation.

Some protesters added they wanted to express their frustration with inequality and the government.

"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 there was deep social injustice and a gulf between rich and poor in the country.