00:00Lawmakers in Albania's parliament clashed on Thursday as opposition members of parliament
00:05attempted to disrupt the session while the assembly continued voting on legislation.
00:11The clashes broke out after parliamentary leadership rejected opposition demands to debate
00:15ten days of student demonstrations that have gripped the capital Tirana. Opposition MPs
00:21held up photographs of students injured by police during previous protests and blocked
00:27the parliamentary podium while the assembly pressed ahead with voting on legislation amid
00:33the chaos. For nearly two weeks now, demonstrators have clashed repeatedly with police in the
00:39city centre hurling rocks, flares, firebombs and fireworks. Officers have responded with
00:45batons, water cannons and tear gas. High school and university students are demanding lower
00:50tuition fees, greater state investment in education and an end to corruption in the education system.
00:56The protest also comes as governments across Europe are facing street pressure over rising
01:02field costs, deteriorating public services, underfunded schools and a deepening housing crisis.
