IDU Statement on the Anti-Government Protests in Albania

October 18, 2026

The International Democracy Union (IDU) is deeply concerned by the escalating unrest in Albania, where student-led protests that began in Tirana on October 13, 2026, have now spread beyond the capital. The right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression are cornerstones of every democratic society.

The IDU calls on the Government of Albania and its security forces to refrain from the use of violence against protesters, to exercise maximum restraint and proportionality, and to respect the fundamental rights of every citizen. Reports of rubber bullets, tear gas and stun grenades being deployed against crowds largely made up of students are alarming. Any instances of excessive force must be investigated independently and transparently, and those responsible held to account.

The concerns being raised by Albania’s young people deserve a genuine response, not dismissal. Attributing a broad movement of students and citizens to foreign interference does nothing to address the grievances that have brought them onto the streets.

The depth and breadth of public discontent now make clear that a lasting resolution must come from the Albanian people themselves. The IDU therefore calls on the Rama government to call early parliamentary elections, conducted in a manner that is free and fair, with full respect for media freedom, an independent electoral administration, and unrestricted access for international observers, including the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights.

Albania’s future lies in a democratic, prosperous and European path. The IDU stands with the people of Albania in their aspiration for accountable government, the rule of law and a future of opportunity at home.