Saturday's protest in Tirana has also received international media coverage. The French news agency AFP has dedicated a report to the developments of October 31, focusing on clashes with the police and the protesters' demand for the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama. According to AFP, the rally began peacefully in front of the Ministry of Education, despite the rain, but then the situation became tense. The agency reports that some masked protesters threw stones and Molotov cocktails at the security forces, while trash cans were also burned. The police intervened with water cannons to disperse the crowd.
AFP describes the October 31 protest as part of a wider wave of rallies that have swept Albania in recent months. According to the report, the protests initially began peacefully in May, sparked by opposition to a project to build a luxury hotel in a protected area, but later expanded to include other demands against the government.
The agency notes that the movement does not have a single leader or organizational structure and that, in addition to accusations of corruption, protesters have also raised concerns about the healthcare system and the lack of prospects for young people.
The article also mentions that, according to an official, 269 people under the age of 18 were arrested during the protests. AFP also refers to measures approved by the government during the week, which foresee fines of up to 5,500 euros for participants who engage in acts of violence during rallies.
