Albanian PM Blames Opposition for Stoking Angry Protests

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama accused the opposition and unnamed “foreign forces” of stoking violent protests, saying the demonstrations were an attempt to derail the country’s efforts to join the European Union.

“This has nothing to do with students anymore,” Rama said from a building damaged by fire during the protests. “How can minors be encouraged to wear masks, tear up the sidewalks and throw stones at police?”

He didn’t provide evidence for his claim about the alleged foreign forces behind the protests that are emerging as he seeks to lead Albania into the EU by the end of the decade. He did acknowledge that students and citizens had legitimate demands for better living conditions, but insisted his government wouldn’t give in to violence and rejected calls for his resignation.

Hundreds of university and high school students returned to the streets on Friday as police tightened security across the capital following three days of violent clashes that left public buildings and businesses damaged.

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The violence has become a growing challenge for Rama after his more than 13 years in power. His government is facing mounting anger over corruption and perceived lack of prospects for young people in one of Europe’s poorest countries. So far, hospitals treated 162 injured people and police arrested 118.

The anger has spread well beyond the education system, reflecting frustrations over living costs, limited job opportunities and the difficulty of building a future in Albania.

About 1.6 million Albanians now live abroad, according to the country’s statistics office, compared with a population of about 2.3 million. The exodus has raised questions about the country’s ability to retain its workforce going forward.

The protests began more than four months ago over plans for a luxury coastal resort linked to Jared Kushner, US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, near a protected wetland.

Albania has experienced repeated waves of political unrest since the collapse of communism. The most serious came in 1997, when the failure of a pyramid investment scheme sparked revolts that left about 2,000 people dead.

Rama has dealt with a similar wave of student protests in December 2018, when thousands took to the streets of Tirana demanding lower university fees, better living conditions in dormitories and increased spending on education. The demonstrations continued into early 2019, with students boycotting classes and occupying university buildings.

At the time, Rama replaced eight government ministers and pledged to improve university facilities and student housing.