Student protests in Albania have attracted increasing attention from the world’s media each day. The Spanish news agency EFE writes that “Albania experienced its fourth consecutive day of student protests against the government on Friday, accompanied by incidents of violence and clashes with police.”
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In its article, the agency says that protesters accuse the authorities of corruption and worsening economic conditions, while the government has made it clear that it will not resign.
Meanwhile, the right-wing opposition has called for further mobilization.
According to the Spanish news agency EFE, protesters and police had reached an agreement in the morning for the march to take place peacefully.
However, the afternoon and evening were again marked by incidents, initially near the Ministry of Education and later in front of the Prime Minister’s Office, where groups of protesters threw stones at law enforcement officers. Police responded with tear gas and water cannons.
“Dëshmorët e Kombit Boulevard, where the government headquarters are located, was once again covered with paving stones used during the clashes and shards of glass from the broken windows of businesses,” the agency writes.
Rama rules out resignation, Berisha calls for mobilization
EFE also focuses on a statement by Prime Minister Edi Rama, who once again ruled out the possibility of resigning, urging citizens to be patient and assuring them that the country will overcome the crisis and emerge from it stronger.
“Rama, who has been in power since 2013 and was re-elected in May with an absolute majority, accused the opposition on Thursday of being behind the protests.
Meanwhile, the Socialist Party has said that the aim of the protests is to obstruct Albania’s integration process into the European Union,” the agency writes.
The leader of the right-wing opposition, Sali Berisha, called on his supporters on Friday to show solidarity with the students on Saturday.
“History is calling on all Albanians to gather tomorrow in Tirana,” declared 82-year-old Berisha, who was president of Albania from 1992 to 1997 and prime minister from 2005 to 2013. He is currently under investigation for corruption.
Protests spread to other cities as well
Since Thursday, the protests have also spread to other cities across the country. Rallies and marches have been held in Lezhë, Shkodër, Elbasan, Kurbin, Rrëshen and Fushë-Arrëz, among other cities.
Albania remains one of Europe’s poorest countries and faces continuing concerns over corruption and the cost of living.
The student protests are part of a broader civic movement that began in May against the government’s plans to develop a luxury project in the south of the country.
This movement has grown into a nationwide mobilization against corruption, the rising cost of living and problems in the healthcare and education systems. Protesters and the prime minister’s political opponents have also expressed dissatisfaction with what they describe as the arrogance of the head of government.
