The key facts
- Protests in Albania have been ongoing since Tuesday and have spread beyond Tirana; students are boycotting classes.
- Rama accused 'foreign hands' linked to the opposition of organizing the unrest.
- The EU delegation expressed concern over the escalation and called for a proportionate response from the authorities.
Fourth Day of Protests in Tirana
Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama called for calm on Friday in a Facebook video, as protesters demanded his resignation for the fourth consecutive day. The demonstrations began on Tuesday and have spread beyond the capital to other cities in the country, with students boycotting classes amid growing anti-government discontent.
Accusations Against 'Foreign Hands'
Rama blamed the unrest on unnamed 'foreign hands.' 'These are foreign hands that do not want Albania to be at peace,' he said. According to him, behind it all stands 'the same hand that has grabbed the Albanian opposition by the throat, the hand that has more than once set Albania on fire and destroyed it.'
Course of the Protests
Thousands of young people took to the streets of the capital, also demanding education reform. Some demonstrators smashed windows and damaged traffic lights, protesters set fire to garbage bins to block roads, and threw stones at police, who responded with tear gas and water cannons.
Voices of Participants
'The government's indifference and arrogance since the beginning of our movement have been unbearable and have worsened the situation,' said a schoolgirl who asked to be identified only by her first name. Eighteen-year-old Ledja told AFP: 'We are not criminals. We just want a better life for our parents and for ourselves. We do not want to leave Albania.'
Context and EU Reaction
This week's escalation followed months of anti-government protests in the Balkan country, including demonstrations against a luxury tourism project linked to Donald Trump's daughter Ivanka and his son-in-law Jared Kushner. The project has become a symbol of alleged corruption and inequality in Albania. On Wednesday, the EU delegation in Albania called on the authorities to respond proportionately, expressing concern over 'the violent escalation at the protest in Tirana.'
Political Situation
Rama's Socialist Party won a fourth consecutive election victory last year; the next parliamentary elections are scheduled only for 2029. The government aims for Albania's accession to the European Union by 2028.
