Rama asks Albanians 'do they want this, or the EU?' as Tirana protests enter sixth day

Albanian police fired rubber bullets, tear gas and water cannon at protesters outside the Ministry of Education in Tirana on Sunday, as student-led demonstrations against Prime Minister Edi Rama entered a sixth day.

Hundreds gathered in front of the ministry chanting “Rama, resign”. A health ministry report issued on Sunday morning said 65 people had been injured in the previous round of clashes, 37 of them police officers, and 12 had been taken to hospital. Since Tuesday, 272 people have been hurt, including 169 officers.

Rama, in his fourth term and in power since 2013, ruled out stepping down. Speaking on a live social media stream, he said “the government is not being challenged” and framed the unrest as a choice about Albania’s future in Europe. “Albanians need to think very clearly,” he said. “Do they want this, or do they want the EU?”

He blamed a “foreign hand” for the protests, said his government was tackling corruption and said he was ready to hear students’ demands over the cost of education. Those who destroyed property, he insisted, must be held to account.

The protesters want better schools, more jobs, an end to alleged corruption and Rama’s resignation. Anger has been building for months. The first wave of protests this year, nicknamed the “Flamingo Revolution”, began in May against a luxury tourist complex in southern Albania linked to Jared Kushner.

Mentor Nazarko, a political analyst, said Rama’s “legitimacy has melted away”. Journalist Lindita Karadaku said: “At this moment, no one is clear what tomorrow will bring.”

Tirana is one of several European capitals hit by street unrest this week, with violent protests over living costs and public services also in France, Italy and Belgium.