Brief
Albanian protesters demand Prime Minister Rama's resignation as clashes turn violent
Demonstrators in Tirana and other Albanian cities have intensified protests, using barricades and confronting police with water cannons and rubber bullets.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Protests in Albania have entered a fifth night of violence, with demonstrators in Tirana demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama, whom they label a “public enemy,” according to the Independent.
What happened
After months of peaceful demonstrations over a proposed luxury resort linked to Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner, clashes erupted on Tuesday in the capital. Protesters erected barricades from burning rubbish bins, hurled rocks at police, and set fire to the Ministry of Education. Police in riot gear responded with water cannons and rubber bullets. Injuries reported include broken legs, rubber‑bullet wounds and spinal injuries. The unrest spread to Durres, Shkoder, Lezhe, Vlore, Korce and Gjirokaster.
What the reports add
The Independent notes that the majority of protesters are young people and students protesting high education costs and limited opportunities. Activist Ervin Goci said the protests will widen and intensify, while urban planner Artan Kacani emphasized that the “non‑negotiable demand” is the immediate resignation of the prime minister and his cabinet. Kacani also described police tactics as causing “fear and panic” among residents.
What was said
“There is no stepping back now,” activist Ervin Goci told the Independent. “The protests will widen and will intensify.” He added, “We protested peacefully for five months. It was not possible to wait any longer. The real battle is now. It’s him [Rama] against the people.” Artan Kacani said, “The primary, non‑negotiable demand uniting the streets is the immediate resignation of the Prime Minister and his cabinet.”
How it came about
Initial protests began months earlier over a luxury resort project promoted by Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner. Those demonstrations were largely peaceful until the government’s refusal to halt the development, prompting broader grievances about corruption, education costs and unemployment. Earlier Felo coverage documented related police actions, including tear‑gas use on student protests on Oct. 13 and the fire set in a Justice Ministry floor on Oct. 14.
Key facts
- Protests have entered a fifth night of violent clashes in Tirana and other Albanian cities. (independent.co.uk)
- Demonstrators are demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama. (independent.co.uk)
- Police used water cannons and rubber bullets; injuries include broken legs and spinal injuries. (independent.co.uk)
- The unrest was sparked by a luxury resort plan linked to Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner. (independent.co.uk)
- Activist Ervin Goci said the protests will widen and intensify. (independent.co.uk)
Sources
- [1] independent.co.uk — originally reported as “Violent Albanian protests sparked by luxury Trump resort ramp up”
