Albanian PM: Protests Threaten EU Bid, Not His Government

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama rejected Sunday calls to resign amid escalating street protests, arguing the demonstrations threaten Albania's European Union membership bid rather than his government. Student-led unrest has spread across the country for the past week. Demonstrators demanding Rama's ouster have set fire to government buildings and banks, prompting police responses with tear gas, water cannon and rubber bullets. Rama blamed unspecified foreign interests for the violence, including an alleged drone attack on his office, and said 388 people have been charged with criminal offenses. The protests follow months of peaceful demonstrations against a luxury coastal development backed by Jared Kushner, and pose the biggest challenge to Rama since he took office in 2013. Albania aims to join the EU by 2030, with analysts noting corruption scandals have long tarnished the country's image.