Thousands gather at new Albanian antigovernment rally

Protesters have clashed with police in rallies in the Albanian capital of Tirana, with police firing tear gas and water cannon to disperse crowds.

Key points

• When news emerged of a luxury hotel project linked to United States President Donald Trump's family, albania has seen intermittent antigovernment protests since May.
• A number of administration buildings were attacked, dozens of demonstrators arrested, and more than 300 protesters and police injured, authorities noted Saturday.
• Protesters have blamed the entire political class for the crisis, with some additionally seen holding signs decrying Rama's opposition, centre-right leader Sali Berisha.
• Rama has blamed "foreign actors" for the violence and accused both Russia and Iran of driving online misinformation.
• Thousands of individuals had heeded calls from organisers for students and others around Albania to attend the rally.

For context, a number of administration buildings were attacked, dozens of demonstrators arrested, and more than 300 protesters and police injured, authorities noted Saturday.

Protesters and police have routinely clashed since a significant wave of protests began in mid-October over poor conditions in schools and the cost of living in the small Balkan country.

While the protests in Tirana had calmed in recent days, Saturday's demonstration escalated the situation again, with police deploying water cannon, tear gas and rubber bullets against crowds.

Thousands of individuals had heeded calls from organisers for students and others around Albania to attend the rally. Various groups, including university professors, artists and opposition parties, confirmed their backing or attendance.

In practice, the country's Ministry of Education has become a focal point of rallies, and Saturday's gathering saw some in the crowd throwing stones and rolling burning bins at the building.

Police had introduced heightened security around the capital on Saturday, with checks being carried out on cars heading to the city, local media documented.

When news emerged of a luxury hotel project linked to United States President Donald Trump's family, albania has seen intermittent antigovernment protests since May. Protesters take aim at PM.

Since then, public anger has turned into a broader push against corruption and the high cost of living, with protesters calling for the resignation of Socialist Prime Minister Edi Rama.

Notably, the prime minister has pressed dialogue, and on Saturday red cushions were laid outside the administration headquarters in a symbolic gesture for talk and dialogue. Protesters afterwards set the cushions on fire.

In short, thousands gather at new Albanian antigovernment rally is the central thread here, and readers can expect follow-up reporting as the picture becomes clearer.