Albanian PM defiant as anti-government protests turn violent for third day, vowing not to resign
Protesters in Tirana during clashes that saw tens of thousands of students demand Prime Minister Edi Rama resign over corruption and soaring university costs.Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner pictured on a family getaway in August. Kushner's backing of a luxury Albanian coastal resort, seen as a symbol of corruption, has fuelled three days of violent protests demanding Prime…
Albania's capital Tirana has seen a third consecutive day of clashes between riot police and protesters demanding Prime Minister Edi Rama's resignation over corruption allegations, with parliament cancelling its session as water cannons and tear gas were deployed. Wednesday's riots left 89 people injured, including 61 police officers, after protesters torched government buildings and attacked banks. High school students joined thousands of demonstrators on Thursday, chanting "Rama Resign!" and bringing the capital to a standstill.
The unrest was sparked by months of protests against a luxury coastal resort backed by Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law, seen as a symbol of corruption.
Rama flatly refused to step down: 'Governments are changed through democratic elections — we had elections last year, not a revolution.'
An EU delegation in Albania called for a 'proportionate response' from authorities, warning of concern at the 'violent escalation' in Tirana.
