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Albanian PM warns mass protests are threatening the country's EU membership bid, as a Gen Z lawmaker breaks ranks to back demonstrators

Albanian PM warns mass protests are threatening the country's EU membership bid, as a Gen Z lawmaker breaks ranks to back demonstrators

Riot police in Tirana responded to protesters with tear gas, water cannon and rubber bullets, as Prime Minister Edi Rama denounced the unrest as a threat to Albania's European Union aspirations rather than to his government. Demonstrators set fire to government buildings and banks and hurled paving stones, while excavators tore up the pavement outside Rama's office as he addressed the public live on Facebook. The unrest follows summer protests against a coastal resort backed by Jared Kushner.

A Gen Z lawmaker has broken ranks and backed the protests, turning on Rama.

Rama claims the demonstrations are being used by 'outside forces'.

His message to Albanians: 'Do they want this... or do they want the EU?'

MoreThe IndependentAlbanian’s PM says violent protest are a threat to country joining the European UnionReutersAlbanian PM says mass protests a threat to EU membership, not governmentReutersAlbania Gen Z lawmaker backs protests, turning on Prime Minister RamaNYT WorldAlbania’s Leader, Edi Rama, Denounces Violent Protests
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