Rocked by protests, Albania to hold new anti-govt rally

Tirana, Albania is set to witness a new anti-government rally on Saturday, following a series of violent protests that have gripped the capital. Since last week, student demonstrators have taken to the streets, voicing their discontent over poor conditions, corruption, and demanding Prime Minister Edi Rama's resignation. The unrest has led to clashes with law enforcement and attacks on government buildings, resulting in over 300 people, including many officers, being injured and dozens of demonstrators detained.

The situation has somewhat stabilized in recent days, with only occasional incidents in Tirana. However, the student-led protest movement has called for a fresh rally on Saturday, urging students and others across Albania to participate. Various groups, including university professors, artists, and opposition parties, have shown support or are expected to attend the demonstration.

Activist Sidorela Vatnikaj described the movement as a "revolution," emphasizing that it's not just about students or environmental issues; it's about the state of rights and state of law. Albania ranks 91st out of 182 countries on Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index. The protests began in May, initially sparked by a controversial resort development on an Adriatic island linked to US President Donald Trump's family, but have since evolved into a broader push against corruption.

As the call for the protest spread through social media and tourists frequented central Tirana, some public buildings were boarded up, with shutters closed and entrances secured by metal sheets. Cobblestones used as projectiles by protesters were removed and replaced with gravel in certain areas. Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama has blamed "foreign actors" for the protest violence and accused Russia and Iran of spreading misinformation online. In response, Rama has called for dialogue.