Albanian Prime Minister condemns the violence in Tirana and promises €2,500 bonuses for frontline police officers

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama said Monday that violent protesters in Tirana had crossed the “red line” after seven days of demonstrations marked by clashes with law enforcement and attacks on public institutions. The protests, which began last Tuesday, were triggered by dissatisfaction with conditions at universities and corruption allegations, with demonstrators calling for the government’s resignation.

Several hundred people gathered again outside the Ministry of Education. In recent days, protesters have set fire to or damaged buildings housing ministries, courts, banks and shops. On Sunday, a police station and the entrance to the Ministry of Interior were set on fire.

Approximately 300 people were injured in the clashes, nearly two-thirds of them police officers, according to the Ministry of Interior. Law enforcement used water cannons, tear gas and rubber bullets.

Rama announced a €2,500 bonus for every frontline police officer, along with salary increases starting in January. The prime minister claimed, without presenting evidence, that protesters were being exploited by Antifa and foreign intelligence services, and accused them of attempting to block Albania’s accession to the European Union. The escalation comes after months of anti-government protests, intensified by a tourism project associated with Donald Trump’s family.