Albania: Violent protests against PM Edi Rama enter second week

Albania is experiencing its most severe wave of unrest in years, with violent clashes between protesters and police in Tirana entering a second week. The protests, which began as a student movement against high tuition fees and poor university conditions, have escalated into a broader challenge to the government of Prime Minister Edi Rama, with demonstrators demanding his resignation Source: Excélsior, infobae.

What happened

Since October 13, thousands have gathered in Tirana's Skanderbeg Square and outside government buildings. Protesters have thrown stones, Molotov cocktails, and fireworks at police, who have responded with tear gas, water cannons, and rubber bullets Source: Excélsior, La Vanguardia. Key government buildings, including the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Justice, and the Court of Appeals, have been set on fire or damaged Source: El Confidencial, El País (ES). The unrest has also spread to other cities like Kurbin and Vlore Source: El Confidencial.

The toll and the reaction

Official figures report over 300 injured, including more than 190 police officers, and over 270 arrests Source: La Voz del Interior, El Confidencial. The violence has also reached parliament, where opposition MPs clashed with ruling party deputies after being blocked from debating the protests Source: Euronews (Español), La Vanguardia.

Prime Minister Rama has refused to resign, calling the violence a "hybrid war" orchestrated by foreign actors, including Russia and Iran, and by far-left groups Source: Excélsior, infobae. He has warned the unrest jeopardizes Albania's EU accession talks Source: Infobae. The US embassy has called for calm and restraint from both sides Source: La Vanguardia.

The deeper context

The current protests are an escalation of months-long demonstrations by the "Flamingo" movement, which opposes a luxury tourism project on a protected wetland linked to Jared Kushner, Donald Trump's son-in-law Source: Euronews (Español), El Confidencial. This environmental protest has now merged with deep-seated anger over corruption, the cost of living, and a lack of future prospects for Albania's youth Source: El País (ES), El Confidencial.