Key facts
- Opposition lawmakers attempted to disrupt a parliamentary session.
- Clashes broke out after demands to debate student demonstrations were rejected.
- Students are demanding lower tuition fees and an end to corruption in education.
Lawmakers in Albania's parliament clashed on Thursday as opposition members attempted to disrupt a session amid ongoing student protests. The clashes erupted after parliamentary leadership rejected opposition demands to debate ten days of student demonstrations that have gripped the capital Tirana. Opposition MPs held up photographs of students injured by police and blocked the parliamentary podium, while the assembly continued voting on legislation. Students have been protesting for nearly two weeks, demanding lower tuition fees, increased state investment in education, and an end to corruption. The protests have evolved into a broader anti-government movement calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama, who has vowed to resist and argued that legitimate grievances are being exploited by those inciting violence. The student protests follow similar demonstrations organized by the Flamingo movement against a luxury tourism development linked to an investment firm founded by Jared Kushner.