Violent clashes as Albanian government cracks down on protests
Protesters in Albania have fought running battles with police, on a 12th day of anti-government protests. Police in the capital, Tirana, used water cannon, tear gas and rubber bullets after Prime Minister Edi Rama warned he would take strong action to quell unrest.
More than 300 protesters and police were injured in the Albanian capital Tirana's fiercest clashes in days.
Protesters hold antifascist banners and flags as they face CRS riot police in a street by the Campo Santo Antifascist village set as part of a counter-mobilisation “against racism, fascism and imperialism” on the sidelines of the congress of the far-right party Rassemblement National (RN) in Orleans, central France, on October 24, 2026. Protesters hold antifascist banners and flags as they face CRS riot police in a street by the Campo Santo Antifascist village set as part of a counter-mobilisation “against racism, fascism and imperialism” on the sidelines of the congress of the far-right…
The protests have come at a critical moment for France, six months ahead of elections to replace President Emmanuel Macron, with a new poll underlining far-right candidate Marine Le Pen as the frontrunner and indicating her position has been strengthened by the latest events. Adding to tensions, Le Pen is due at the weekend to host her National Rally (RN) party congress in Orleans, with thousands of supporters expected and local authorities fearing clashes as counter-protesters also head to the city south of Paris.
Thousands of protesters are on the streets of Paris for a second weekend.
The Italian government has sent hundreds of soldiers to the country's financial hub before anticipated unrest.
