Albanian police fire rubber bullets as protests against Rama escalate

Albanian police fired rubber bullets at antigovernment protesters in Tirana on Saturday, marking an escalation in five days of clashes demanding Prime Minister Edi Rama's resignation. The violence continued as students joined a wider movement against Rama's Socialist Party government, which has held power since 2013. Protesters threw stones, petrol bombs, and fireworks near Rama's office, setting cars and rubbish bins alight, while police responded with tear gas, water cannon, and baton charges. National police chief Skender Hita confirmed the limited use of rubber bullets, with nine protesters and four police officers receiving medical treatment on Saturday. The unrest stems from student complaints over university fees, poor facilities, and unemployment, alongside corruption allegations, and has spread beyond Tirana to Durres. Rama, serving his fourth term, refused to resign and accused conservative opponents of encouraging the violence, while the Flamingo movement has broadened its antigovernment campaign.