Albanian police fire rubber bullets for the first time since the protests began as unrest against Edi Rama escalates

18 October 2026

Police in the Albanian capital Tirana fired rubber bullets at anti-government protesters on Saturday, the first use of rubber bullets since the demonstrations began. National police chief Skender Hita confirmed they had been deployed in a limited manner. Hita said 167 people had been arrested over five days of unrest and 132 officers had been injured, while seven police officers were suspended pending investigations into whether they exceeded their authority. The Ministry of Health and Social Welfare said nine protesters and four police officers received medical treatment on Saturday. Protesters are demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama, who is serving his fourth term and whose Socialist Party has held power since 2013. Students have raised university fees, poor facilities and limited employment, and the unrest has spread to the coastal city of Durres.