Albanian students held a protest in Tirana, demanding the resignation of Edi Rama, the Prime Minister of the country. These protests arose following increasing dissatisfaction with university conditions, the costs of higher education, and lack of job opportunities after graduation.
Protests and Reasons for Discontent
As the sky of Tirana is changing with luxurious and modern buildings, students have taken to the streets shouting at the police forces. Samanta, a 22-year-old economics student, through her tears says, "How can I buy an apartment in one of these towers with a salary of 540 euros?" She mentioned sharing rent with people she does not know and expressed her exhaustion.
The protests began in late May and have become part of an anti-government movement known as the "Flamingo Revolution." This movement initially started due to the multi-million tourism development associated with Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of former U.S. President, and has turned into a broader challenge to Rama's government.
Violence and Arrests
Over the past three days, student protests have turned violent, with buildings and businesses set on fire. 152 people have been arrested and 324 are under investigation. There are also reports of injuries on both sides, protesters and police forces, especially 71 police officers during the clashes.
While Rama remained silent during the first two days of protests, he appeared in a video message from the damaged European College building and responded to the criticisms. In this message, he said, "These are the hands of an opposition that wants to return Albania to a place it will never go back to." He also rejected the protesters' calls for his resignation, stating that a change of government is only possible through elections.
Sali Berisha, the leader of the Democratic Party and former Prime Minister, dismissed Rama's accusations of opposition involvement in the violence and emphasized his party's full support for the protests. He also called for Rama's immediate resignation.
Regjinald Gemula, from the Albanian civil society organization, states that these protests are a result of Rama's lack of responsiveness to the protesters' demands over the past four months. He believes that the only way to end this uprising is the resignation of the Prime Minister.
