Student protests demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama have continued unabated in Albania for a fourth consecutive day. On Friday, thousands of young people marched through Tirana, where they smashed several windows and traffic lights, according to infohub.kz.
The protests are spreading across the country after months of largely peaceful demonstrations. According to the students, the authorities ignored their demands. On Thursday, unrest broke out 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."
Why students are protesting
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 protester.
In Tirana, students, many with their faces hidden behind masks, faced off against lines of riot police near the education ministry building. Some small shops closed. On building facades, business owners put up messages: "We are with you. Do not damage our businesses 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 Korça, where participants smashed windows and set fire to garbage bins.
How the authorities responded
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 lead Albania into the European Union and hopes for the country's accession as early as 2028.