Symbolic imageRama rejects resignation as Albanian protests continue
Prime Minister Edi Rama refused on Sunday to step down as student-led protests in Albania entered a sixth day. He says the unrest threatens the country's EU path, not his government.
In a live Facebook address, Rama said "a path is being challenged, a mission is being challenged" and asked Albanians whether they want the EU. He invited students to dialogue. On Sunday, thousands gathered outside the Education Ministry and threw rocks at riot police, who responded with tear gas, water cannon and rubber bullets, according to the Jerusalem Post. Police said 388 people have been charged with criminal offenses.
Fires and injuries
Kosovo's Koha reports in headlines that protesters set fire to Police Station No. 3 and that a fire also hit the Interior Ministry. It also reports 28 injured on Sunday, 19 of them police, after 65 injured on Saturday, 37 of them police.
Foreign hand claim
Rama blamed unspecified foreign interests for the protests and for what he called an attempted drone attack on his office this week. The US embassy urged protesters to refrain from violence, and Koha reports that the European Commission condemned it.
Roots of the unrest
The demonstrations are fuelled by anger over perceived corruption, a lack of jobs and poor education standards. They follow months of largely peaceful summer protests against a coastal development backed by Jared Kushner, according to the Jerusalem Post.