Albania's prime minister Edi Rama refuses to resign as student riots enter a third day in Tirana
Riot police deployed teargas and water cannon against demonstrators for a third straight day in Tirana on Thursday, as Albania's prime minister Edi Rama flatly rejected calls to step down. Rama declared that "governments are changed through democratic elections — we had elections last year, not a revolution." Parliament cancelled its session as demonstrators smashed windows, attacked government buildings and damaged property across the capital. The unrest represents the stiffest test Rama has faced since winning a fourth term last year.
Among the factors fuelling the protests is a luxury resort development on Albania's southern coast that has Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law, as a backer and is currently facing legal challenges.
Wednesday's violence left 89 people injured — 61 of them police officers — as protesters set part of the education ministry ablaze and stormed the prime minister's office and finance ministry.
An EU delegation in Albania called for a "proportionate response" from authorities, warning of concern at the "violent escalation" in Tirana.