Albania: Youth-Led Protests Against Corruption Escalate with Police Violence

According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, thousands of young Albanians gathered in the center of Tirana, the capital, on Saturday, marking the fifth day of escalating protests initially led by students. The demonstrators are demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama.

The protests saw a surge in violence with the intervention of Albanian riot police, who used stun grenades, tear gas, and water cannons against the assembled crowd.

Demonstrations against corruption and a lack of job opportunities are reportedly spreading across Albania. Official police figures indicate that 500 protesters have been arrested to date, with 330 of them subsequently released. Reports also suggest that approximately 120 police officers and 45 protesters have sustained injuries.

These unrests represent the most significant challenge to Edi Rama, who has held power since 2013 and secured his fourth term in office following last year’s elections. The current events follow months of largely peaceful protests that were initially sparked by plans to construct a luxury resort complex on Albania’s pristine southern coast. This project reportedly has the backing of investors including Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of United States President Donald Trump.

In July, local residents told Reuters that their lands were illegally sold for the implementation of this project. Protesters had already clashed with police in the Albanian capital on Friday for the fourth consecutive day. Prime Minister Edi Rama has claimed that “foreign hands” are responsible for the growing unrest in his country, while thousands of demonstrators are calling for his resignation over the state of universities and high tuition fees.