Assembly of Albania Speaker Niko Peleshi said the right to protest is a constitutional right that citizens must exercise peacefully and in accordance with the law. He made the remarks as tensions continued for a second day outside the Ministry of Education in Tirana.

Peleshi said violence and vandalism undermine dialogue and the public interest. He also linked civic responsibility and respect for the law to Albania’s European Union integration process. He said the country aims to close the accession negotiation chapters by the end of next year.

Meanwhile, the protest outside the ministry continued amid clashes. According to reports, masked protesters tore down railings and threw Molotov cocktails, stones and explosive devices towards the building. Pyrotechnic devices also reached the first and second floors, causing fires inside.

Police deployed water cannon and tear gas to disperse protesters and regain control of the situation.

/a.p./