Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama has declared he will not resign in the face of ongoing student-led demonstrations, which have now entered their third consecutive day of unrest in the capital, Tirana. The protests, which have expanded to other cities, are driven by demands for the Prime Minister’s resignation and calls for increased government support for students, specifically citing high tuition fees and poor university conditions.
In response to the escalating situation, police have utilized teargas and water cannons to disperse crowds marching along major roads in Tirana. The demonstrations have been marked by violent clashes, particularly on Tuesday and Wednesday, during which protesters forced their way into several government buildings and set at least one on fire. Authorities reported that 51 police officers were injured during Wednesday’s events, leading to 65 arrests on suspicion of attacking police, institutions, and public or private property. While police did not provide a figure for injured protesters, the Tirana public hospital confirmed that seven demonstrators sought medical treatment for injuries sustained during the violence.
Addressing the calls for his departure, Rama stated in written responses to Reuters that his government was elected last year and that leadership changes should occur through democratic elections rather than revolution. While he expressed readiness to discuss the rising cost of education, he condemned the protesters' tactics, noting that attacking institutions and threatening public safety are unrelated to legitimate student demands. Rama also addressed concerns regarding corruption, asserting that Albania is tackling the issue more effectively than ever before, a stance he claimed the European Union has recently reaffirmed.
The current unrest represents the most significant challenge to Rama’s administration since he secured a fourth term last year. The protests follow months of largely peaceful demonstrations sparked by plans for a luxury resort on the southern coast backed by Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of Donald Trump, a project that has faced legal challenges. The European Union’s delegation in Tirana has strongly condemned the violent escalation and the destruction of property, urging all parties to exercise restraint. As Albania leads the EU accession process among Balkan countries with a target entry date of 2028, the delegation emphasized that violence has no place in a democracy.
