Albania’s PM faces sixth day of protests as police use tear gas in Tirana

aljazeera.com — October 18, 2026 at 07:01 PM UTC

Violent protests in Albania's capital Tirana entered a sixth day as Prime Minister Edi Rama, serving his fourth term, refused to resign. Police used rubber bullets, water cannons, and tear gas against hundreds of demonstrators chanting "Rama, resign" outside the Ministry of Education. Protesters demand better education, more jobs, an end to alleged corruption, and Rama's resignation. The prime minister blamed a "foreign hand" for the unrest and warned it could affect Albania's EU membership hopes, which target 2030. Sixty-five people were injured Sunday, including 37 police officers. Discontent has grown for months, beginning with May's "Flamingo Revolution" protests against a luxury tourist complex linked to Jared Kushner. Political analyst Mentor Nazarko said Rama's "legitimacy has melted away," leaving only police between him and citizens.

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