Tirana, 23 October. Clashes broke out between deputies in Albania's parliament after the speaker rejected an opposition demand to debate the student protests that have gripped Tirana for ten days in a row, Tengrinews.kz reports, citing Euronews.
Deputies pushed and shoved each other, tore microphones from the podiums and threw objects across the chamber. Opposition members blocked the rostrum, banged on desks and held up photos of students injured by police, while other members kept voting on bills by raising their cards.
For almost two weeks protesters in central Tirana have clashed with police, throwing stones, flares, petrol bombs and firecrackers; police respond with batons, water cannon and tear gas. Schoolchildren and students are demanding lower tuition fees, more state investment in education and an end to corruption in the sector. Over time the protesters have joined a broader anti-government movement.
What it means: Albania's student protest has spilled beyond education into a political crisis that has reached a brawl in parliament. The authorities have not yet met the students' demands.
Who benefits: The opposition, which can use the protest against the government. The government, which keeps parliament working and votes through laws despite the blockade. The students get attention for their demands but risk seeing the protest dissolve into party politics.
Background: The protests in Tirana began about two weeks ago with demands from schoolchildren and students for lower tuition fees.
List of sources used: Tengrinews.kz
Artificial intelligence was used in preparing this material.
