Albanien: Proteste: Studierende stürmen Regierungsgebäude in Tirana

Violent protests against government in Albania have escalated into their third day, as young people take to the streets in Tirana and three other cities across the EU candidate nation. The unrest began with initial clashes between police and demonstrators in the capital, with the chaos spreading to Korca, Durres, and Lushnja on Thursday. Parliament in Tirana postponed a plenary session planned for Thursday due to the violence, citing safety concerns.

Prime Minister Edi Rama blamed opposition forces for the protests, accusing them of trying to thwart Albania's EU aspirations. He claimed they were using "fire and iron" to drag the country back to a dark past. Rama went on to state that only by reaching the "historical summit" of EU membership could Albanians fulfill their long-held "dream for generations."

Amidst the protests, demonstrators attempted to approach the Ministry of Education in Tirana, prompting the police to deploy tear gas. In Korca, protesters pelted schools with stones and Molotov cocktails, according to media reports. Durres and Lushnja also saw further protests, while Tirana's center saw rioters destroy a bank and university premises.

Over the past two days, nearly 100 police officers were injured in Tirana, and more than 100 suspected rioters were arrested. The focus of student anger centered on poor study conditions, high education costs, and lack of job prospects. However, demonstrators also called for President Rama's resignation, who has led Albania since 2013.

Growing discontent with Rama and the entire political leadership had been brewing for months after it emerged that the government supported a real estate project in a protected area on Albania's Adriatic coast, a project backed by Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of US President Donald Trump.

These ongoing demonstrations, dubbed the "Flamingo Revolution" due to the presence of flamingos in the protected area, come as Albania negotiates its EU entry. Many citizens view their political elites as greedy, corrupt, and incompetent.