Albania's Rama Refuses to Resign as Student Protests Turn Violent

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama said on October 15, 2026, that he will not resign as thousands of student-led protesters filled Tirana for a third day, smashing windows in demonstrations against his government. Reuters

Demonstrators have called for Rama to quit since Tuesday, October 13. Crowds were dispersed with water cannon and tear gas, leaving dozens of police officers and protesters injured. Protesters set fire to several buildings in Tirana, including the prime minister's office, ministry buildings and branches of several banks. Al Jazeera

The clashes intensified over three days. On October 13, student protesters hurled bricks and concrete blocks at the Education Ministry in Tirana, and police fired tear gas and water at the crowd. A fire broke out at the ministry during the protest. On October 14, tear gas and petrol bombs were used in street clashes between police and students, and hundreds of young people smashed store fronts in Tirana. A second night of violence saw government buildings and businesses attacked and set on fire. Balkan Insight

Students say they are protesting poor conditions in the education system. They have complained for months about the high cost of education and limited employment prospects after graduation. The October 14 protest was led by students demanding better educational conditions, and demonstrators have demanded more support for students and Rama's resignation. France 24

Rama accused the opposition of trying to "pull Albania down" after the second night of violence. Students joined the anti-government movement Flamingo during the October protests, a movement that demanded Rama's resignation following corruption allegations.

Rama won a fourth term as prime minister in May 2026 and has since faced public anger over corruption allegations involving senior officials. Anti-government protests that began months earlier were fuelled by plans to build a luxury resort along Albania's southern coast involving Jared Kushner. Since the end of May, the protests have grown into the largest civil mobilisation since the fall of the dictatorial regime in the early 1990s, under the name Flamingo Revolution. The demonstrations during the summer were largely peaceful, and in July protesters claimed a "moral victory" after Rama declared in Brussels that his government will revisit controversial laws paving the way for the resort. Local media reported that the student protests spread from Tirana to universities in Elbasan and Shkoder on Wednesday, October 14.