Thousands Rally in Tirana, Calling for Rama to Resign

Thousands of people gathered in Tirana on Saturday, October 24, for an anti-government rally calling for Prime Minister Edi Rama to resign, as clashes with police injured protesters and officers and led to dozens of detentions, according to Albanian authorities. Police used tear gas and water cannon to disperse crowds, and reports also said officers fired rubber bullets. Some demonstrators threw stones at the Education Ministry, a focal point of the protests, and several government buildings were attacked. Authorities said more than 300 protesters and police were injured; the figure has not been independently itemized in the reports. The rally brought students and other demonstrators to the capital after organizers called for people from across Albania to attend. University professors, artists and opposition parties had announced support or plans to participate. Protesters carried messages about education and political accountability, while some blamed the wider political class, including Rama and opposition leader Sali Berisha, for the crisis. The demonstrations have included demands for improved education conditions and action on corruption, living costs and limited job...