ALBANIAN PRIME MINISTER REJECTS CALLS TO RESIGN

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama rejected calls to resign on Sunday as student-led protests entered a sixth day and clashes broke out in Tirana. He said the demonstrations threatened Albania’s path towards European Union membership rather than his government. Thousands gathered outside the Education Ministry and threw rocks at riot police, who used tear gas, water cannon and rubber bullets. Demonstrators have set fire to government buildings and banks, smashed shop windows and pulled up paving stones to throw at police. The protests, driven by anger over perceived government corruption, a lack of jobs and poor education standards, have spread to other Albanian cities.

Rama, who has governed since 2013 and won a fourth term last year, addressed the unrest live on Facebook. He said “a path is being challenged, a mission is being challenged”. The demonstrations followed months of largely peaceful protests over a luxury coastal development backed by Jared Kushner, son-in-law of US President Donald Trump. Before Sunday’s protests, excavators removed paving outside Rama’s office in central Tirana. Tirana resident Elton Prendi said the work would not stop protesters and would leave them with less protection from police.

Rama invited students to talks. Albania and Montenegro lead a group of Balkan countries seeking EU membership, with Albania aiming to join by 2030. Rama said his government was tackling corruption as never before. He blamed unspecified foreign interests for the protests and said someone had attempted a drone attack on his office during the week. He also asked Albanians to consider whether they wanted the protests or EU membership.