The student-led demonstrations in Albania continued for a sixth consecutive day as anger over high tuition fees, poor education facilities, high levels of unemployment and alleged corruption within Edi Rama’s government erupted.
The protest movement was initially prompted by a proposal by US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner to build a luxury resort. It has engulfed central Tirana and spread to other major cities in the past week, including Durres and Shkoder.
Edi Rama, Albania’s prime minister, said he will not resign despite days of protest and growing unrest, warning that the escalating violence is threatening the country’s chances of joining the European Union.
“I am not being challenged, the government is not being challenged, a government majority or a winning party in the elections is not being challenged but a path is being challenged, a mission is being challenged,” the prime minister wrote on Facebook.
This latest wave of unrest comes after months of anti-government protests, known as the Flamingo Revolution. The young protesters called for Rama to resign over allegations of corruption among government officials.
