Edi Rama refuses to hand over power, claiming protests threaten Albania's EU accession

Refusal to resign amid escalating tensions

On 18 October, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama officially rejected protesters' demands for his resignation. In a live Facebook broadcast, he emphasised that the mass unrest poses a threat not to his cabinet or the ruling party, but to the country's mission of joining the European Union.

The head of government stated that protesters are challenging not the government or the ruling party, but the country's mission. He called on Albanians to decide what they truly seek: disorder or EU membership. During his speech, excavators were already clearing paving stones near the Prime Minister's office ahead of a new wave of protests.

Causes and course of the protests

Student demonstrations began amid outrage over widespread corruption, unemployment, and the low quality of education. Protests, which swept through the centre of Tirana, quickly spread to other cities in the country. Participants in the actions are demanding the Prime Minister's resignation, setting fire to government buildings and bank branches, and throwing paving stones at security forces.

In response, police have deployed tear gas, water cannons, and rubber bullets. According to law enforcement data, dozens of police officers and demonstrators have been injured in the clashes. In total, charges have been filed against 388 individuals for committing criminal offences during the unrest.

Political context and accusations of foreign interference

These events represent the biggest challenge for Edi Rama, who has headed the government since 2013. Last year, he was re-elected to the post for the fourth time. Tension in society has significantly increased following several months of peaceful protests against the construction of an elite resort, a project supported by Donald Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner.

The Prime Minister also accused unnamed "foreign forces" of inciting the protests and attempting a drone attack on his office. In his words, young people could not have independently devised such a complex plan without external interference.

Meanwhile, the Albanian government claims it is fighting corruption more actively than ever. The country, along with Montenegro, leads among Balkan candidates for EU accession and plans to become a member of the Union by 2030.