Albanian Protests Intensify as PM Rama Refuses to Resign

Protests in Albania have escalated into violent clashes between demonstrators and police in the capital, Tirana, for six consecutive days. The unrest, sparked by demands for Prime Minister Edi Rama's resignation, has resulted in widespread disruption and injuries.

Protesters, primarily students and activists, have been voicing their grievances over poor university conditions, high tuition fees, and perceived government corruption. The demonstrations, which began on Tuesday, have intensified, with confrontations spreading across the city center. Police have responded with water cannons, tear gas, and rubber bullets, while protesters have thrown rocks, Molotov cocktails, and set fire to various buildings, including a police station and the entrance of the interior ministry.

On Saturday, the protests reached a peak of violence, with clashes extending to the main boulevard and square. The ministry of Health reported that 16 police officers were injured, 14 of them during an attack on a police station. Protesters also targeted the headquarters of the governing Socialist Party, smashing windows and setting ablaze litter bins. In response, shops and offices in the city center secured their doors and windows with metal shutters, and city workers removed paving stones to prevent them from being used as projectiles.

Prime Minister Edi Rama has refused to step down, attributing the unrest to external influences. In a video broadcast, he stated that the protests are orchestrated by