Albanian PM Edi Rama refuses to resign as Tirana protests enter sixth day

khaleejtimes.com — October 18, 2026 at 08:01 PM UTC

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama refused to resign on Sunday, October 18, as violent anti-government protests entered a sixth day in Tirana, with police using water cannon and tear gas against demonstrators. Hundreds gathered at the education ministry chanting "Rama, resign" amid clashes that injured dozens. The protests, ongoing since Tuesday, demand action over poor university conditions, high tuition fees, and corruption. Demonstrators set fires, smashed windows at the Socialist party headquarters, and attacked a police station, while police responded with rubber bullets. Health officials reported 16 officers injured Sunday and 272 total injuries since Tuesday, with 54 detained on Saturday. Rama blamed the unrest on an "outside hand" and cancelled an official visit to Austria. The US embassy urged restraint, while the European Commission condemned the violence but stressed proportional responses. The unrest follows months of protests sparked by a resort development linked to President Donald Trump's family.

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