Albanian PM Rama refuses to resign as protests continue

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 19 Oct, 11:28 · Archive

Prime Minister Edi Rama has refused calls to resign as student-led protests enter their sixth day in Tirana.

Student-led protests demanding Prime Minister Edi Rama's resignation continued for a sixth consecutive day in Tirana on Sunday, with violent clashes between demonstrators and police. Thousands of protesters gathered outside the Education Ministry, chanting 'Rama resign!' and throwing rocks at riot police, who responded with tear gas, water cannon and rubber bullets.

Rama refused to step down, saying in a Facebook address that the protests did not challenge his government but rather a path and mission. He framed the demonstrations as a threat to Albania's ambition of European Union accession by 2030. Rama also claimed the protests were the 'work of an outside hand', without providing further details. Earlier in the week he had said governments were changed through elections, not demonstrations.

The student-led demonstrations are driven by discontent over alleged government corruption, unemployment and poor education standards, including high university tuition fees. The violent protests have drawn concerns from Brussels, with the European Commission condemning the use of violence on Sunday while welcoming the Albanian authorities' commitment to protecting the right to protest.

How it is being reported

• US lawmakers sound alarm as violence grips NATO ally Albania amid anti-government protestsStudent-led protests in Tirana have turned violent as thousands demand Prime Minister's Edi Rama's resignation amid allegations of corruption. Rama has blamed outside agitators for the violence.Fox News · 19 Oct, 11:43
• Protests continue sixth day in a row in Albania's capitalAlbania's capital saw protests Sunday for a sixth day in a row as Prime Minister Edi Rama ruled out resigning, the main demand of the protesters. Violent demonstrations have rocked Tirana since Tuesday, with thousands of protesters calling for Rama to step down as they rally against poor university conditions, high tuition fees and corruption.France 24 · 19 Oct, 11:03
• Albania's Prime Minister Edi Rama ignores calls to resign amid violent clashesAnti-government protesters continued calls for Edi Rama to step down as violent clashes between demonstrators and police again took place.DW News · 18 Oct, 20:47

In this story: Edi Rama · Albania · Tirana · European Union · European Commission

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