Clashes between police and protesters who are against Albania's Socialist government erupted in the country's capital for the third consecutive day Thursday as Prime Minister Edi Rama vowed he will not resign.
Rioters in Tirana were seen throwing rocks at a police cordon outside Albania's Education Ministry, prompting law enforcement to respond with tear gas and water cannons, according to The Associated Press.
The clashes followed riots on Wednesday when protesters attacked government buildings, banks and businesses, leaving 89 people injured, including 61 police officers.
"As for calls for my resignation, governments are changed through democratic elections. We had elections last year, not a revolution," Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama told Reuters on Thursday.
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"My responsibility is to listen, address legitimate concerns and keep Albania moving forward," he added. "The alternative would be a betrayal of the Albanians who gave me a strong mandate to complete negotiations on European Union membership."
Thursday's protests included student groups seeking education reforms, as well as others staging a broader anti-government movement opposed to a major development project linked to President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, the AP reported.
The so-called flamingo movement is calling for the resignation of Rama over allegations of widespread corruption. The movement earned the name after protesters used signs depicting the pink bird.
"The message from the streets is clear: Albanians have had enough. Public patience with Edi Rama’s socialist government has come to an end," Agim Nesho, former Albanian ambassador to the United States, told Fox News Digital on Thursday.
"The wheels are coming off Edi Rama’s socialist government. After 13 years in power, his administration faces mounting accusations of corruption, misuse of public funds, and political favoritism," Nesho said. "Meanwhile, poverty, unemployment, inadequate public services, and the mass exodus of young Albanians seeking better opportunities in Europe have fueled widespread anger. Critics argue that, as with other failed socialist governments, the political elite has benefited while ordinary citizens have been left struggling to make ends meet."
An EU delegation in Albania called late Wednesday for a proportionate response from authorities, expressing concern at "the violent escalation at the protest in Tirana."
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Rama won his fourth term as prime minister last year, running on a platform centered around Albania joining the EU, which it hopes to achieve as early as 2028, according to Reuters.
Student organizers told Reuters that the protests are over higher education costs, a lack of financial support, conditions at universities and job prospects after graduating.
The prime minister said to the news agency that he is ready to discuss the cost of education, but added, "Attacking institutions, destroying public property and threatening public safety have nothing to do with the legitimate demands of students."
"Corruption must be confronted and, as the EU itself has recently reaffirmed, Albania is tackling it as never before," Rama also said. "Perhaps some forces, at home and abroad, do not want Albania to succeed as a forerunner for EU membership. But I will not allow violence to derail Albania's European future."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
