Albanian PM Edi Rama Refuses to Resign as Supreme Court Offices Burn Amid Violent Protests

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama declined to resign on Sunday, 18 October 2026, as violent demonstrations went into a 6th day in Tirana. Demonstrators had actually set fire to the Supreme Court structure late on Saturday, as clashes with cops heightened around public organizations.

Officers utilized tear gas, water cannon and rubber bullets as protesters collected outside the Education Ministry, requiring action on corruption, university conditions, tuition charges and joblessness. The presentations have actually expanded into a more comprehensive obstacle to Rama’s federal government, with opposition figures and protesters requiring his departure.

A Health Ministry report released on Sunday early morning taped 65 hurt individuals, consisting of 37 law enforcement officers, with 12 hospitalised. The ministry put the cumulative injury toll because Tuesday at 272, consisting of 169 policemans. Cops independently stated criminal procedures had actually been started versus 388 individuals throughout the discontent.

Supreme Court Fire Escalates Clashes in Tirana

Protesters set fire to the Supreme Court structure and the entryway to the Bank of Albania on Saturday, according to AFP. The attacks contributed to harm reported at public structures, banks and other home throughout the discontent.

Justice Minister Toni Gogu condemned the attacks, stating they targeted independent organizations serving the nation and its residents instead of the federal government. The level of the damage to court workplaces and records was not right away clear.

Clashes outside the Education Ministry continued as demonstrators tossed stones and other things at cops. Some companies closed or protected their properties as fights spread out through main Tirana.

Cops stated 167 individuals had actually been apprehended, a different figure from the 388 individuals versus whom criminal procedures had actually been started. The authorities’ usage of rubber bullets formed part of a reaction that likewise consisted of tear gas and water cannon.

Trainees Join a Wider Anti-Government Movement

The most recent presentations outgrew months of mostly tranquil demonstrations versus a proposed high-end seaside advancement connected to Jared Kushner, United States President Donald Trump’s son-in-law. The motion, called the ‘Flamingo Revolution’, takes its name from issues about a resort task near seaside environments related to flamingos.

Kushner’s financial investment company, Affinity Partners, is connected to prepare for a significant tourist advancement on Albania’s southern coast. The propositions have actually drawn opposition from ecological advocates and homeowners worried about the effect on secured environments.

The Albanian federal government has actually protected tourist financial investment as a prospective source of financial development. Opposition to the advancement has actually nonetheless entered into a more comprehensive project tough Rama’s administration.

Trainee complaints later on combined with the existing motion. Demonstrators raised issues about university conditions, tuition expenses and restricted job opportunity, along with allegations of corruption and needs for higher federal government responsibility.

The 6 days of heightened demonstrations followed months of presentations, instead of marking the start of opposition to the seaside job.

Rama Rejects Calls to Step Down

Rama, who has actually been prime minister considering that 2013 and won a 4th term in 2015, eliminated resigning in a video address broadcast on Facebook. He argued that the discontent threatened Albania’s development towards European Union subscription, which the nation is targeting for 2030.

The prime minister likewise blamed undefined foreign interests for the discontent, without openly recognizing those he implicated. He kept that federal governments need to be altered through elections instead of street violence.

Rama stated trainees’ issues must be heard and welcomed them to talks. Protesters continued requiring his departure, arguing that months of earlier presentations had actually stopped working to produce a significant reaction.

Cops conduct likewise came under examination. The state cops chief stated 7 officers had actually been suspended and were dealing with disciplinary examination for presumably surpassing their authority, while protecting the restricted usage of rubber bullets.

The federal government deals with needs to resolve trainees’ complaints together with concerns about the handling of the discontent. Rama has actually provided discussion however continues to turn down resignation as protesters press for political modification.