TIRANA — Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama has declined to resign amid ongoing protests that have entered their sixth day, warning that the demonstrations threaten the country’s aspirations to join the European Union rather than his government’s stability.
The protests, led primarily by students, erupted across central Tirana and other cities in response to grievances including alleged government corruption, unemployment, and inadequate education standards. Demonstrators have repeatedly called for Rama’s resignation, with some engaging in violent acts such as setting fire to government buildings and banks, breaking shop windows, and throwing paving stones at police forces.
Violence flared again on Sunday as thousands gathered outside the Education Ministry. Protesters threw rocks at riot police, who responded with tear gas, water cannons, and rubber bullets. Police authorities have since charged 388 individuals with criminal offenses connected to the unrest, reporting injuries among both officers and demonstrators.
The current unrest follows months of largely peaceful protests over a coastal development project backed by Jared Kushner, son-in-law of former US President Donald Trump. These demonstrations mark the most significant challenge to Rama’s administration, which has been in power since 2013 and secured a fourth term in last year’s elections.
In a live broadcast on Facebook on Sunday, Rama characterized the protests not as a direct challenge to his government or parliamentary majority, but as a contest over Albania’s chosen political direction. He urged citizens to consider the country’s European Union integration ambitions as a key consideration amid the unrest.
Ahead of Sunday’s protests, authorities removed paving stones near Rama’s office in central Tirana—a move seen by some residents as an attempt to reduce protection for protesters against police intervention. Elton Prendi, a local resident, expressed skepticism, suggesting the removal was intended solely to limit demonstrators' defensive options.
The European Commission has condemned the outbreak of violence in Tirana and other cities, reaffirming support for the protection of the right to peaceful protest while encouraging Albanian authorities to maintain order.
As the demonstrations continue, the government faces mounting pressure to address the underlying socioeconomic issues fueling public discontent amid a pivotal period for Albania’s EU accession efforts.