Government
Rama meets police chiefs: 740 million lek bonus for officers deployed at protests
The government approved a special fund for 2,750 police officers, while the prime minister warned of measures against students who commit violence and blamed foreign actors for the unrest.
By ANN Newsroom · Newsroom
October 19, 2026, 11:07 · Updated 12:20 · 1 min read
In brief
- Prime Minister Rama met with the leaders of the State Police on the seventh day of protests.
- The government approved 740,080,000 lek from the budget's reserve fund for 2,750 officers.
- Rama warned that students who attack police will lose their scholarships and accused Russia, Iran and the ANTIFA movement.
Prime Minister Edi Rama held a meeting on Monday with the leaders of the State Police, as anti-government protests in Tirana entered their second week. During the meeting, he expressed support for the officers and condemned acts of violence during the rallies.
Rama promised an immediate bonus of 2,500 euros for every police officer involved in managing the protests, as well as a considerable pay raise for the police starting in January next year.
On the same day, the Council of Ministers approved a decision on a fund of 740 million 80 thousand lek, to be distributed to 2,750 State Police employees for their extra work in maintaining public order. According to the decision, the money will be taken from the state budget reserve for 2026, while the list of beneficiaries will be drawn up by the General Directorate of Police.
Warnings for students and families
The head of government declared that students who commit violence against the police will lose their scholarships, state financial support and free education. “They will not have free education,” he said, according to BIRN. He added that the families of minors involved in acts of violence will be required to pay for the damage caused.
Rama blamed Russia, Iran and the ANTIFA movement for the unrest, without presenting concrete evidence of Russian or Iranian involvement, as the BIRN report notes.
