Student protests have spread across Europe, with scenes of police clashing with young people and water cannons being used in several major cities. Demonstrations began in France at the end of September over underfunding in education and have since spread to Italy, Albania and Belgium.
Violent scenes in Italy
Thousands of students in Italy chanted against the right-wing government as they were hit with water cannons in several cities. Young Italians were pictured launching rocks, petrol bombs and firecrackers at police in protests against school conditions, the cost of living and war. Others sprayed fire extinguishers at riot cops and lit fires in the streets.
In Rome, students marched to the Ministry of Education before throwing smoke bombs and firecrackers at the building. They chanted against education minister Giuseppe Valditara, saying: "Valditara, get out of the building." Police in Rome warned they were using video footage to identify those involved in violence, saying: "The actions of this minority group, however, did not impact the effectiveness of the public order management strategy."
Water cannons and tear gas in Turin
In Turin, police used water cannons against protesters and launched tear gas into Piazza Castello, as some young people hurled rocks at cops. Thousands also marched to the Regional School Office where some students flung eggs at police.
Similar clashes were seen nationwide on a day dubbed "No Meloni Day", as demonstrators rallied against right-wing prime minister Giorgia Meloni. Chaos was seen in Genoa, Venice, Padua and Bari.
Marchers, in a statement, said: "In our schools, every day we see dilapidated buildings, cancelled school assemblies, and a lack of spaces for social interaction and democracy, with all the consequences of the funds invested in the war sector and diverted from schools, universities, and healthcare due to the policies of this warmongering government."
Protests in Albania and Belgium
Violent scenes have run into their fourth day in Albania, with anti-riot police clashing with protesters in the capital Tirana. Students joined anti-government protesters who have been demonstrating for months against a luxury tourism project linked to Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner in a protected area of the coastline.
Protesters, on Wednesday, started a fire inside the Education Ministry and attacked several government buildings. Police have detained several demonstrators. National police chief Skender Hita, on Thursday, said 71 officers had been injured.
Albania's Prime Minister Edi Rama on Thursday issued a video message from a burned-out college building, saying: "No one can grab Albania by the throat. Anyone who thinks the law does not apply to them is mistaken." Education minister Mirela Kumbaro, in a video, said: "As minister of education, but also as a mother, I want to share with you a call for cooperation. While the 'dark hands' create dark smoke with destructive actions against public properties and private businesses, we must not let our children near that smoke."
Last week, student protests in Belgium also turned violent as police used tear gas to disperse crowds of young people demonstrating against tuition fees and budget cuts. They were joined by labour unions demonstrating against budgetary measures from the government. Police made over a dozen arrests as clashes in Brussels escalated.
