Police in Albania's capital, Tirana, fired tear gas and water cannon to disperse crowds on Saturday after an antigovernment rally turned violent. Authorities said more than 300 protesters and police officers were injured and dozens of demonstrators were arrested. Several government buildings were also attacked.
The unrest follows a significant wave of protests that began in mid-October over poor conditions in schools and the rising cost of living in the small Balkan country. Demonstrators and police have clashed repeatedly since then.
Protests in Tirana had calmed in recent days, but Saturday's rally escalated tensions again. Police used water cannon, tear gas and rubber bullets against the crowds. Thousands of people turned out after organisers urged students and others from across Albania to attend.
A range of groups announced they would back or join the rally, including university professors, artists and opposition parties. Local media reported that police stepped up security around the capital and carried out checks on cars heading into the city.
The Ministry of Education has become a focal point of the demonstrations. On Saturday, some in the crowd threw stones at the building and rolled burning bins toward it.
Albania has experienced intermittent antigovernment protests since May, when news emerged of a luxury hotel project linked to the family of United States President Donald Trump. Since then, public anger has grown into a wider campaign against corruption and the high cost of living. Protesters are calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama, a Socialist.
Rama has blamed "foreign actors" for the violence and accused both Russia and Iran of driving online misinformation. The prime minister has also called for dialogue. On Saturday, red cushions were placed outside the government headquarters as a symbolic invitation to talk. Protesters later set the cushions on fire.
Demonstrators have laid blame on the entire political class for the crisis. Some in the crowd carried signs criticising Rama's opposition rival, centre-right leader Sali Berisha.
