Albania protests: PM Edi Rama refuses to resign as student demonstrations continue
Albania's prime minister Edi Rama says he will not step down over the student-led protests demanding his resignation, telling Reuters in written responses that governments are changed through democratic elections, 'not a revolution', as the Albania protests entered a third day.
Albania protests: PM Edi Rama refuses to resign as student demonstrations continue
The demonstrations are the biggest challenge yet to Rama, who won a fourth term in office last year. As protesters and police clashed in the capital for a third consecutive day, the prime minister ruled out any resignation and set out his reasoning in written responses to Reuters.
Rama: elections, not revolution
Rama told Reuters that governments are changed through democratic elections, noting that Albania held elections last year, not a revolution. His refusal comes despite resignation demands at the heart of the movement.
"governments are changed through democratic elections. We had elections last year, not a revolution"
He said his responsibility is to listen, address legitimate concerns and keep Albania moving forward, adding that the alternative would betray the Albanians who gave him a mandate to complete EU membership negotiations.
Concessions offered, violence rejected
The prime minister said he was ready to discuss the rising cost of education, but drew a line at the disorder seen in recent days. Attacking institutions, destroying public property and threatening public safety, he argued, have nothing to do with the legitimate demands of students. On corruption, Rama said it must be confronted and that Albania is tackling it as never before, as the EU itself has recently reaffirmed.
What the demonstrators want
The student protests in Tirana centre on two linked demands: Rama's resignation and more support for students, citing poor university conditions and high tuition fees. The movement has grown out of a longer wave of unrest.
- Demonstrators demand the prime minister's resignation
- They want more support for students, pointing to poor university conditions and high tuition fees
- The unrest follows months of mostly peaceful demonstrations sparked by plans for a luxury resort on Albania's southern coast backed by Jared Kushner, a project facing legal challenges
Police used teargas and water cannon to disperse demonstrators marching along several main roads around Tirana, and the protests have spread to other cities.
EU membership stakes
Rama vowed not to let the violence undo the country's European path, saying: "I will not allow violence to derail Albania's European future." He suggested some forces at home and abroad do not want Albania to succeed as an EU membership forerunner.
The EU's delegation in Tirana repeated its calls for de-escalation, condemning the violent escalation at the protest and the destruction of property. "We call on protesters to exercise restraint and to refrain from any acts of violence," the delegation said.
Alongside Montenegro, Albania leads the EU accession process among Balkan countries and is aiming for entry as early as 2028 - a target Rama says the protests must not be allowed to derail, while the demonstrations continue beyond the capital.
