Student protests in Albania demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama continued for a fourth day. On Friday, thousands of young people marched through Tirana, where they smashed several windows and traffic lights. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Kursiv Media.
The protests are spreading across the country after several months of predominantly peaceful demonstrations. According to the students, the authorities ignored their demands. On Thursday, unrest began in the capital: participants smashed windows, looted a bank and clashed with police.
"They are pushing us to the limit," said a 19-year-old protester.
Addressing Rama, he urged him to "resign as quickly as possible before everything burns to the ground."
Participants accuse officials of corruption and neglect of education. Another cause of discontent was the sale of untouched plots of the Albanian coast for the construction of a luxury resort backed by Jared Kushner, son-in-law of US President Donald Trump.
"We protested peacefully for 140 days, and no one heard us. So this is our only chance to be heard and to get the rights we deserve," said a 19-year-old female protester.
In Tirana, students, many of whom hid their faces under masks, confronted rows of riot police near the Ministry of Education building. Some small shops closed. On the facades, entrepreneurs posted appeals: "We are with you. Do not damage our business across the city."
According to local media reports, clashes between police and protesters who threw stones occurred in Lezha. Demonstrations also swept Elbasan, Shkodra and Korca, where participants smashed windows and set fire to garbage bins.
Rama, re-elected last year for a fourth term, said the authorities would not yield to pressure.
"We will not bow to violence," the prime minister wrote on Facebook.
The unrest has become a challenge for the head of government, who promised to bring Albania into the European Union and expects the country to join as early as 2028.