Tens of thousands of students have taken to the streets across Albania to protest rising education costs and corruption, with demonstrations turning violent. Prime Minister Edi Rama has rejected calls to resign, insisting his government will remain in office.
The protests reflect mounting anger over university conditions, financial support and limited job opportunities for graduates.
Police used water cannon against protesters who smashed windows and damaged property in Tirana, the capital. The unrest forced parliament to cancel a scheduled sitting.
In response to questions from Reuters, Rama dismissed demands for his resignation.
“As for calls for my resignation, governments are changed through democratic elections. We had elections last year, not a revolution,” he said.
“My responsibility is to listen, address legitimate concerns and keep Albania moving forward. The alternative would be a betrayal of the Albanians who gave me a strong mandate to complete negotiations on European Union membership.”
On Wednesday, tens of thousands of students rallied in Tirana as violence erupted, with protesters setting fire to a government building and two banks and hurling stones at police.
Student organisers are calling for better university conditions, lower education costs, greater financial assistance and improved employment prospects for graduates.
The protests represent Rama's biggest challenge since winning a fourth term last year on a pledge to accelerate Albania's bid to join the European Union.
The prime minister said he was willing to discuss rising education costs but strongly condemned the violence.
“Attacking institutions, destroying public property and threatening public safety have nothing to do with the legitimate demands of students,” he said.
The unrest comes after months of largely peaceful demonstrations over plans for a luxury resort on Albania's southern coast. The project, backed by Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of U.S. President Donald Trump, has faced legal challenges.
In July, local villagers told Reuters their land had been sold for development without their consent. Reuters found no evidence of wrongdoing by Kushner, who is not directly involved in the dispute.
The scale of the destruction was evident across Tirana, with burnt-out rubbish bins, damaged bus stops and broken traffic lights scattered along the streets.
Despite the unrest, Rama vowed to press ahead with anti-corruption efforts and Albania's bid to join the European Union.
“Corruption must be confronted and, as the EU itself has recently reaffirmed, Albania is tackling it as never before,” Rama said.
“Perhaps some forces, at home and abroad, do not want Albania to succeed as a forerunner for EU membership. But I will not allow violence to derail Albania's European future.”
Albania and Montenegro are among the frontrunners for EU membership in the Western Balkans, with Tirana aiming to join the bloc as early as 2028.
However, persistent corruption scandals have raised questions about Albania's readiness to join. Political analysts have also highlighted the country's role as a hub for criminal networks laundering profits from drug and arms trafficking, posing further challenges to its hopes of joining the 27-member bloc.
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