Prime Minister Edi Rama has warned of a punitive approach toward the families of minors and students involved in acts of violence during protests. According to his statement, families could bear the financial burden for damages, while students who attack officers of the State Police risk losing benefits such as free education, scholarships and financial support from the state.
Warning for the families of minors
Rama said that the families of minors who take part in violence during protests will face the bill for the damage if they do not take responsibility for their children.
The prime minister’s message also shifts the burden onto parents, drawing a hard line of financial punishment in relation to the consequences of protests accompanied by destruction.
Students targeted by administrative measures
According to the government chief’s statement, students who leave school to attack police officers will not return without administrative consequences.
He warned that these students will no longer have free education, scholarships or financial support from the state if they want to continue university after involvement in violence.
Government links damages to public taxes
In his statement, Rama said that the damage caused during the protests will be repaired with public money, mentioning sidewalks, traffic lights, cameras, signs, benches and trees.
This once again places the cost on the state budget, while the statement gave no further details on the specific procedure for how the collection of these damages from families or the removal of benefits for students would be implemented.
Harsh rhetoric from the prime minister
Rama presented involvement in these acts as part of a scenario he called a “sinister plan,” using harsh language toward minors who join protests and toward students who, according to him, use violence against police.
At this point, the statement remains a public political warning, and it remains to be seen on what legal basis and through what administrative decision-making these measures would be supported.
The prime minister’s statement comes amid a tense climate surrounding the protests and the way their consequences are being handled by the government.
Beyond the strong political tone, it remains essential whether these warnings will pass the test of the law and proportionality, especially when they affect minors, students and benefits linked to education.