The Canada Brief

World · 19 d ago

Skanderbeg Square, Tirana

Pudelek · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Albania's prime minister refuses to resign as student protests turn violent

Where the protests spread

  • Tirana
  • Durrës
  • Shkodër
  • Vlora
  • Korçë

Protests that began Tuesday over education costs and the cost of living have spread from Tirana to cities across Albania, with protesters setting fire to part of the education ministry.

Police officers injured

71 officers

Police chief Skender Hita said Thursday that 71 officers have been injured, and police said 65 people were arrested during Wednesday's protests.

My responsibility is to listen, address legitimate concerns and keep Albania moving forward.

— Edi Rama, prime minister of Albania

What we know

  • Rama blames the opposition and foreign hands
  • The EU calls for restraint and an inquiry

Not yet

  • Who leads the student movement

Rama blames opposition leader Sali Berisha and unnamed foreign hands for the violence. The European Union's delegation in Tirana called for restraint and a quick inquiry into claims of excessive force by police.