Albania sees latest violent student protests over corruption and education costs

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama on Thursday has insisted he will not resign as violent student-led protests entered a third consecutive day.Police deployed water cannons to disperse demonstrators, who smashed windows and damaged property in the capital, causing parliament to cancel its session.Students are demonstrating over the rising costs of education and widespread corruption and have called for Rama to step down.Prime Minister Rama strongly rejected the idea."As for calls for my resignation, governments are changed through democratic elections. We had elections last year, not a revolution," Rama said in written responses to the Reuters news agency.Police blast demonstrators with water amid an anti-government protest by students in Tirana, Albania. (Reuters)"My responsibility is to listen, address legitimate concerns and keep Albania moving forward. The alternative would be a betrayal of the Albanians who gave me a strong mandate to complete negotiations on European Union membership."Rama indicated he was open to discussing education costs, but added: "Attacking institutions, destroying public property and threatening public safety have nothing to do with the legitimate demands of students."The ongoing unrest represents the most significant challenge yet to Rama, who secured a fourth term last year, in what was dubbed at the time as a landslide win.The demonstrations follow months of mostly peaceful rallies sparked by plans to build a luxury resort on Albania's southern coast backed by US President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, a project currently facing legal challenges. Albanian prime minister Edi Rama. (PA Wire)"Corruption must be confronted and, as the EU itself has recently reaffirmed, Albania is tackling it as never before," Rama said. "Perhaps some forces, at home and abroad, do not want Albania to succeed as a forerunner for EU membership. But I will not allow violence to derail Albania's European future."Alongside Montenegro, Albania is currently leading the accession process among Balkan nations, targeting entry into the bloc as early as 2028.Riot police clashed with demonstrators on Wednesday after cordons were destroyed and street barricades set alight using burning rubbish bins.A protester on Wednesday waves an Albanian flag during clashes in Tirana, Albania. (AP)Officers struggled to contain the multiple outbreaks of violence, AP reported.Health Minister Klodiana Spahiu, who visited the injured officers in hospital, described the violence as "intolerable."Following "allegations of excessive violence by the police against protestors and journalists" made by protest organisers, the EU delegation in Albania called for a proportionate response from authorities."We express concern on the violent escalation at the protest in Tirana," the delegation said. "Freedom of assembly and expression are fundamental rights and core European values."