Albania’s prime minister vows not to resign over student-led protests

By the Editorial Team · Friday, October 16, 2026

Students in Tirana led violent protests for three days demanding Prime Minister Edi Rama's resignation and better support for education, resulting in clashes with police, arson attacks on government buildings, and multiple arrests. The unrest poses a major challenge to Rama's government, which rejects stepping down and remains focused on maintaining stability and progressing toward EU membership by 2028.

Albania’s capital, Tirana, has witnessed three consecutive days of violent student-led protests demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama and greater government support for education. The demonstrations, which spread to other cities, have focused on issues such as high university tuition fees, poor conditions in higher education, and broader concerns about corruption.

The unrest escalated on Wednesday when protesters set fire to the first floor of the education ministry building and also targeted other government offices, including the prime minister’s office and parliament. In addition, two banks were reportedly set ablaze during the clashes. Protesters hurled stones at police, leading to confrontations that forced security forces to deploy tear gas and water cannons to disperse crowds along major roads in Tirana.

Authorities reported that 51 police officers were injured, and 65 individuals were arrested on charges related to attacks on police, public institutions, and private property. Meanwhile, medical facilities treated at least seven protesters for injuries sustained during the incidents.

Prime Minister Rama, who has led the country for 13 years and was recently re-elected to a fourth term, rejected calls to step down, saying governments should be changed through elections rather than protests. “We had elections last year, not a revolution,” he stated, emphasizing his commitment to addressing legitimate concerns through dialogue while condemning acts of violence and property destruction. Rama also highlighted Albania’s ongoing efforts to combat corruption, noting that the European Union has acknowledged progress as the country advances toward potential EU membership, targeted as early as 2028.

The government has accused opposition figures and unspecified "foreign actors" of exploiting student grievances to foment unrest. Ervin Dema, Albania’s interior minister, suggested such influences were exacerbating the situation. In contrast, some opposition politicians criticized the government’s handling of the protests, alleging excessive force against demonstrators. Erald Kapri, a member of the centre-right Opportunity Party, claimed that students had been subjected to brutal treatment by security forces.

The European Union delegation in Tirana called for calm, strongly condemning the violence and the destruction of property. It urged both protesters and authorities to exercise restraint and avoid actions that could undermine democratic processes.

The protests follow months of largely peaceful demonstrations triggered by plans to develop a luxury resort along Albania’s southern coast, a project linked to Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, which has faced legal challenges. The current wave of unrest represents the most significant challenge to Rama’s administration, which remains focused on ensuring stability and continuing Albania’s bid for EU accession.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.