Thousands of protesters have taken to the streets of Albania demanding Prime Minister Edi Rama's resignation, with anger over a luxury resort project backed by former US President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner becoming a primary catalyst for the unrest. The protests, largely led by students, entered their fourth consecutive day on Friday, with demonstrators smashing windows, damaging traffic lights, and clashing with riot police in the capital, Tirana.
Protesters have accused Rama's government of corruption, rising education costs, and ignoring their demands despite months of peaceful demonstrations. "We've been protesting peacefully for 140 days, and nothing was heard," a 19-year-old protester named Klea told reporters.
The situation turned violent earlier this week when protesters set fire to a government building and two banks, prompting police to respond with tear gas and water cannons. According to Euronews, police detained 160 people following Thursday's clashes.
The demonstrations have since spread to several other cities, including Lezha, Elbasan, and Korca. Rama, who secured a fourth term last year, has refused to step down and accused unnamed foreign groups of encouraging the violence.
Kushner's involvement has also drawn scrutiny after villagers alleged that their land was wrongfully sold for the resort development. The unrest comes as Albania seeks to join the European Union (EU) by 2028.
Political analysts suggest that the economic disparity in the country has reached a boiling point. The government's push for foreign investment, particularly in the tourism sector, is being viewed by the youth as a sell-out of national assets.
Opposition leaders have joined the chorus of voices calling for early elections, claiming that the current administration has lost its mandate to govern. The government, however, maintains that these projects are essential for economic growth.
International observers are closely monitoring the situation, fearing that the instability could derail the country's path toward EU integration. The European Commission has urged all parties to exercise restraint and engage in dialogue.
As the weekend approaches, security remains tight across Tirana. Authorities have deployed additional riot police to protect key government installations and diplomatic missions.
The fate of the controversial resort project remains uncertain as the legal challenges from local villagers continue to mount in the courts, adding another layer of complexity to the ongoing political crisis.