Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama said that the growing street protests threaten not his government but the country’s progress toward joining the European Union.
Rama rejected demands for his resignation and stressed: “I am not being challenged, the government is not being challenged, a government majority or a winning party in the elections is not being challenged — a path is being challenged, a mission is being challenged.” He urged Albanians to decide clearly: “Do they want this or do they want the EU?”
The protests, which began as student actions over corruption, unemployment and poor education standards, have engulfed Tirana and other cities within a week. Demonstrators demanding Rama’s departure set fire to government buildings and banks, pulled up paving stones and threw them at police. Security forces responded with tear gas, water cannon and rubber bullets. The unrest has become the most serious challenge for Rama since he came to power in 2013. Last year he won elections for a fourth time, making EU membership the central plank of his programme.
Rama blamed unspecified foreign interests for the escalation and mentioned an alleged drone attack on his office. He insists the government is fighting corruption more actively than ever before and will not allow violence to derail the European path. Together with Montenegro, Albania is leading among Balkan candidates and is aiming for membership by 2030.
The protests grew out of a broader movement that began in the summer amid plans to build a coastal resort involving investors linked to Jared Kushner, son-in-law of U.S. President Donald Trump. Brussels had earlier called for restraint and dialogue.
