Albanian PM Alleges 'Foreign Interference' Amidst Escalating Student Protests

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama has pointed fingers at “foreign hands” for the escalating, increasingly violent student-led protests demanding his resignation. For the fourth consecutive day, riot police engaged with protesters outside the education ministry as thousands of young Albanians marched through the capital, Tirana, on Friday. The demonstrations are a protest against government corruption and inadequate university conditions.

“This is not a student phenomenon,” Rama stated in a video address on Friday, asserting that “foreign hands that do not wish for Albania to be at peace” are involved. He emphasized that the protest has “absolutely nothing to do with the hardships, problems or legitimate aspirations of anyone who desires a better life.”

The clashes saw police officers deploy water cannon and tear gas against demonstrators who retaliated by hurling rocks. Local media reported that the protests have expanded beyond Tirana to Elbasan, Shkodra, and Korca, where instances of broken windows and fires set to rubbish bins have occurred.

This intensification follows months of largely peaceful demonstrations, initially triggered by the sale of a portion of Albania’s coastline to a luxury resort development reportedly linked to Jared Kushner, former US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law. In recent days, the unrest has increasingly targeted banks and government buildings. On Tuesday, protesters hurled bricks and concrete blocks at the education ministry and set fire to several buildings, including the prime minister’s office, the finance and justice ministry buildings, and branches of several banks.

A police statement indicated that 160 individuals were detained on Thursday evening for alleged acts of violence.

The EU Question

Demonstrators are calling for Rama’s resignation, alongside demands for electoral and education reforms. While the prime minister, whose government denies allegations of corruption, expressed willingness to discuss rising education costs, he rejected calls for his resignation. On Thursday, he stated, “My responsibility is to listen, address legitimate concerns and keep Albania moving forward.” He further added that his dismissal “would be a betrayal of the Albanians who gave me a strong mandate to complete negotiations on European Union membership.”

Corruption scandals have presented significant obstacles to Albania’s EU accession efforts. Analysts suggest the country serves as a hub for criminal gangs involved in laundering money from drug and weapons trafficking. Rama secured a fourth term last year on a platform promising to advance Albania’s integration into the EU, with a target for membership as early as 2028.