Student protests spread across Europe as clashes erupt in Italy and Albania

Student protests have spread across Europe, turning violent in Italy and Albania, with police deploying water cannons and tear gas against crowds in multiple cities. The movement, which began in France in late September over education underfunding, has now triggered clashes in at least four countries. In Italy, thousands of students chanted against Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's right-wing government during a "No Meloni Day," throwing rocks, petrol bombs, and firecrackers at police in cities including Rome, Turin, Genoa, and Venice. Demonstrators cited dilapidated schools, cost-of-living pressures, and opposition to war spending, while police in Rome warned they are using video footage to identify violent offenders. In Albania, clashes entered a fourth day in Tirana, where students joined anti-government protests against a luxury tourism project linked to Jared Kushner, with riot police responding to rocks and fireworks with tear gas and water cannons. Belgian student protests also turned violent last week over tuition fees and budget cuts, resulting in over a dozen arrests.