The tenth day of the protest in the capital was marked by a lower presence on the ground and fewer clashes than on previous evenings. The main episodes were recorded near the Prime Minister’s Office, where a small group of protesters confronted police forces and a water cannon vehicle.
Limited confrontation near the main boulevard
According to reporting from the scene, the most visible clash of the evening took place between a group of protesters and a police water cannon on Tirana’s main boulevard.
Protesters, few in number, threw stones at officers in the square, while police responded with water. At this stage of the protest, no use of tear gas was reported.
Fewer numbers, less tension
From what was seen on the ground, Thursday’s protest had lower intensity compared with previous days. Fewer participants were observed, fewer hard objects were used by protesters, and there was a more limited response from police.
Although the capital has gone through several days of repeated tensions, this time the escalation remained partial and concentrated only in a few isolated episodes.
The action began at Parliament, but without a clash scenario during the day
Movements began in the early hours of the day near Parliament, at the time when the plenary session was being held. However, during the morning and afternoon hours, the streets of the capital remained mostly calm.
The absence of clashes during the day points to a different rhythm of the protest, although the police presence and accumulated tension remained part of the day’s political backdrop.
Lecturers continue the boycott and their presence in the square
For the third consecutive day, the protesters were joined by lecturers from public and private universities. Their participation comes as the teaching boycott at universities continues.
The lecturers present described the square as the largest auditorium of democracy and stressed that the protest, in their view, is against the entire political class. They also underlined that their organization is independent.
Day 10 did not bring the same level of clashes as at other times, but it did leave visible two elements that continue to accompany the protest: sporadic episodes of violence and the broadening of support from groups beyond the initial organizers.
In a politically charged climate, the reduction of tension on the ground does not necessarily diminish the weight of the discontent being expressed in the streets.