Violent protests against Albania's PM Edi Rama spread to multiple cities

Anti-government protests in Albania have escalated into violent clashes, spreading from the capital, Tirana, to several other cities. Demonstrators have called for the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama, who has stated he will not step down. The unrest, which began as a student movement over education costs, has resulted in injuries to police and protesters, as well as fires at government buildings.

Escalation and Spread of Violence

The demonstrations began on Tuesday and have continued through Thursday, with reports of violence persisting into Friday. According to Al Jazeera, protests continued for a third day in Tirana on Thursday, while the BBC reports that Tirana has seen four days of clashes. The unrest has spread beyond the capital to include Durrës, Shkodër, Lezhë, Vlora, Gjirokastër, and Korçë.

Demonstrators have set fire to several buildings, including the prime minister’s office, ministry buildings, and branches of several banks. A floor of the education ministry was set on fire, with other government institutions also ablaze. Police have responded to masked protesters throwing stones with water cannons, tear gas, and batons. Dozens of police officers and protesters have been injured.

Origins in Student and Anti-Corruption Grievances

The current wave of protests was announced as a student movement demanding action on high education fees, book costs, and the higher cost of living. Secondary schools joined the protests, swelling the numbers. However, the unrest is rooted in months of prior demonstrations. For 135 days over the summer, Albanians in central Tirana held pictures of a pink flamingo, calling on Rama to resign. These "Flamingo" protests began over a mega-tourism project on the Adriatic coast linked to Jared Kushner, US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law.

Afrim Krasniqi, a professor at the Institute for Political Studies in Tirana, told Al Jazeera that students and young people protested peacefully for nearly three months, "yet their demands were largely ignored, while the government often responded with discrediting campaigns rather than genuine dialogue." He added that the escalation reflects "frustration not only with the government itself, but also with the lack of institutional accountability and responsiveness."

Government Response and Political Blame

Prime Minister Edi Rama, who has been in power since 2013 and won a fourth term last May, has ruled out resigning. "As for calls for my resignation, governments change through democratic elections. Last year, we had elections, not a revolution," Rama told Reuters on Thursday.

On Friday, Rama blamed opposition leader Sali Berisha for instigating the chaos. "All of this is the work of the very same hand - the hand that has gripped the Albanian opposition by the throat, the hand that has burned and destroyed Albania more than once, and is now prepared to burn and destroy it again to prevent any progress," Rama said. He also suggested foreign involvement, stating, "These are foreign hands that do not wish for Albania to be at peace... they do not want Albania to be part of the united European family."

Berisha’s Democratic Party has often tried to mobilize people to oust Rama, but the number of his loyal supporters has been low compared to current attendance. Some media outlets have suggested secret services of foreign countries may be involved, with unfounded allegations made against Serbia.

Why it matters

The violence marks a significant escalation in public discontent directed at Prime Minister Edi Rama, who has faced growing anger over corruption allegations involving senior officials. One deputy prime minister has fled the country, and another has been ordered to step down as investigations continue. Albania is a top candidate for EU membership, and the government has warned that the violence tarnishes the country's image, affecting both tourism and its European integration path. The UK government has urged visitors to avoid demonstrations and follow local authority advice.

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Sources

• aljazeera.com: ‘Boiling point’: Why students are protesting against Albania’s Edi Rama | Protests News | Al Jazeera
• bbc.com: Albanian protests turn violent: What we know

This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.