A student protest in Albania over education and social inequality turned violent on Tuesday as police clashed with demonstrators in the capital, Tirana.
Hundreds of students threw stones and concrete blocks at the Education Ministry building, prompting security forces to respond with tear gas and water cannons. Police arrested several protesters as the clashes spilled into nearby streets.
According to student organizers, the nationwide demonstration was aimed at deteriorating conditions at universities, high education costs, limited financial aid and bleak job prospects after graduation. Some also voiced anger over growing inequality and a political system they say is failing young people.
"What Albania needs is a revolution, a change, a complete overthrow of the system because it cannot continue like this," protester Luljeta Kola said, describing "deep social injustice" and a widening gap between rich and poor.
Deputy Prime Minister Albana Kociu condemned the unrest, writing on Facebook that "violence has not been, is not and will never be the solution."
The protest comes amid a broader wave of student activism across Europe, including weeks of demonstrations and blockades by high school students in France.
