Albania Protests: PM Rama says he will not resign as student protests persist

Thousands of students and young protesters clashed with riot police in Tirana, Albania, on Thursday, demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama after 14 years in power. Demonstrators accuse officials of corruption and neglecting education, and object to the sale of parts of the southern coastline to a luxury resort development. Rama has rejected calls to resign, saying his responsibility is to listen, address legitimate concerns and keep the country moving forward. Source: Global News, citing Reuters.

• Student-led protests in Tirana turned violent, with police using water cannons and tear gas
• Protesters accuse officials of corruption and neglecting education
• Anger over the sale of southern coastline land to a luxury resort development
• Rama rejects resignation calls and won a fourth term last year with EU membership central to his campaign

Albanian students expressed deep frustration with Edi Rama on Thursday as thousands of protesters clashed with riot police in Tirana, demanding the prime minister's resignation after 14 years in power. "We're just done with him," protester Migerta Demalia told Reuters as smoke rose from burning structures around the capital. The student-led demonstrations turned violent as many involved started smashing windows, set fire to kiosks and garbage containers, and ripped metal fences from pavements, prompting police to respond with water cannons and tear gas. Many young Albanians said they saw no future in their country under Rama's leadership. The demonstrators accuse officials of corruption and neglecting education, and are angry about the sale of parts of Albania's southern coastline to a luxury resort development. Rama rejected calls to resign, saying his responsibility was to "Listen, address legitimate concerns and keep Albania moving forward." The protests mark the biggest challenge yet to Rama, who won a fourth term last year with EU membership at the centre of his campaign. For more info, please go to https://globalnews.ca Subscribe to Global News Channel HERE: http://bit.ly/20fcXDc Follow Global News on X HERE: http://bit.ly/1Toz8mt Follow Global News on TikTok HERE: https://www.tiktok.com/@globalnews.ca?lang=en #GlobalNews