Riot police have clashed with the protesters, using tear gas and water cannons to disperse them.

One demonstrator, Enida Bimi, told Reuters news agency that the protest is not just for the students, but “for all the people of Albania”.

“The people are very angry at the system. They need to change everything. With this corruption all around, the crime and everything else is happening. And the people now are angry. They need to change the system,” Bimi said.

Another protester, Arber Leshi, said people are angry at “the most corrupt government our country has ever seen”.

Education Mirela Kumbaro said that while she respects the right to protest, “civic student protest and violence against public buildings and property are two different things”.