Key facts
- Protesters are demanding Prime Minister Edi Rama's resignation.
Thousands of young Albanians marched through Tirana on Friday, escalating protests against Prime Minister Edi Rama. The demonstrations, now in their fourth day and spreading to other cities, have turned violent with protesters smashing windows and clashing with police.
The escalating protests pose a challenge to Prime Minister Edi Rama's government, which is seeking European Union membership. The unrest highlights concerns over corruption and the future prospects for young people in Albania.
Thousands of young Albanians marched through Tirana on Friday, with some smashing windows and traffic lights on the fourth day of increasingly violent student-led protests. The demonstrations, which are spreading through the country, turned into a riot in the capital on Thursday, with protesters smashing windows, raiding a bank, and clashing with police. The students accuse officials of corruption and neglecting education, and are angry about the sale of coastal land for a luxury resort development backed by Jared Kushner. Prime Minister Edi Rama, who is aiming for Albania to join the European Union by 2028, stated on Facebook, "We will not bow to violence." Protests have also occurred in Lezha, Elbasan, Skhodra, and Korca.
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