Balkan unrest: Albania burns as protests threaten its path to EU membership - Ynetnews

Student-led protests continued in Albania for a sixth day with continued demands for Prime Minister Edi Rama to resign. Despite those calls, Rama is refusing to step down, saying the demonstrations were not a threat to government but rather a threat to Albania's ambition of accession to the European Union. Protesters gathered again at noon in front of the education ministry chanting "Rama, resign" amid a tense standoff with policeImage: Hameraldi Agolli/AP Photo/picture alliance

At this moment, no one is clear on what tomorrow will bring, says Albanian journalist Lindita Karadaku. Violent protests have rocked Albania’s capital Tirana for the sixth consecutive day as Prime Minister Edi Rama, who is serving his fourth term, ruled out resigning. Hundreds of protesters gathered again on Sunday in front of the Ministry of Education, chanting “Rama, resign” in a tense standoff with the police, who later used rubber bullets, water cannons and tear gas to hold back the crowds. Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Albania’s PM blames ‘foreign hands’ for protestslist 2 of 3Albanian police fire rubber bullets as protests against Rama escalatelist 3 of 3Protesters allege police brutality as violent clashes rage on in Albaniaend of listShops and institutions in the centre of the city have secured their doors and windows with metal shutters, while city workers removed paving stones to prevent their use by protesters. Lindita Karadaku, a journalist for Albanian news outlet TV Klan, told Al Jazeera on Sunday that it was difficult to see how the unrest could unfold or how long it could last.

Students and other protesters gathered outside the Ministry of Education in Tirana on Saturday as anti-government demonstrations entered their fifth consecutive day. The protests, which have spread to cities across Albania, intensified after high school and university students joined a broader movement calling for Socialist Prime Minister Edi Rama's resignation over allegations of corruption.

TIRANA, Albania (AP) — Student-led demonstrators clashed Thursday with Albanian police in the capital Tirana for a third day running, joining a broader anti-government movement launched in opposition to a major development project linked to U. S. President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner. Youths protesting Albania’s long-serving Socialist government hurled rocks at a police cordon outside the Education Ministry, and riot police responded with tear gas and water cannons. Police detained several demonstrators. The latest clashes followed riots on Wednesday when protesters attacked government buildings, banks and businesses, leaving 89 people injured including 61 police officers, according to the Health Ministry. The protests were led by student groups seeking education reforms. They have joined the so-called flamingo movement, which is calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama over allegations of widespread corruption and in opposition to the large luxury tourism development on Albania’s southern coast, associated with an investment firm founded by Kushner. Story continues below advertisement

Student protests against poor conditions in Albania’s education system have continued for a third day in the capital, Tirana, as Prime Minister Edi Rama insists he will not resign. Demonstrators have called on Rama to quit in often violent protests since Tuesday. They have set fire to several buildings across the city, including the prime minister’s office, ministry buildings and branches of several banks. Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4Photos: Student protest in Albania prompts violent clashes with policelist 2 of 4Fire erupts at Albania’s Education Ministry as protests spirallist 3 of 4AI in politics: Is Albania the EU’s testing ground?list 4 of 4‘Each country goes its own way’: How Balkan politics shape ties with Israelend of listDozens of police officers and protesters have been injured amid attempts to disperse the crowds using water cannon and tear gas. “What you are seeing is the boiling point of months of suppressed grievances,” Albanian journalist Arlis Alikaj told Al Jazeera.