Protests by thousands of students in Albania entered a second day on Wednesday as demonstrators renewed demands for better conditions at universities and improved employment prospects after graduation. According to media accounts, some protesters attacked and set fire to government buildings during the demonstrations.
The unrest, driven by students' calls for tangible improvements in higher education and opportunities in the labour market, escalated from peaceful protest to property damage when buildings were set alight. Organisers had said their movement aimed to highlight long-standing grievances over university infrastructure, academic standards and the inability of the job market to absorb graduates.
Details on the locations affected, the extent of the damage and whether there were casualties or arrests were not immediately available. State officials had not released a comprehensive account of the incidents by the time of reporting, and local media coverage focused on scenes of unrest and the protesters' demands.
The demonstrations underline mounting frustration among young Albanians about education and employment prospects. Observers say the students’ actions — and the authorities’ response — are likely to shape public debate in the coming days as the country faces pressure to address those social and economic concerns.