Tirana erupts as students demand Edi Rama's resignation over corruption and a Kushner-backed resort

Tirana saw massive street battles as student-led protests turned violent, with demonstrators attacking the Ministry of Finance, the Prime Minister’s office and several banks, using Molotov cocktails and setting fires. Police deployed tear gas, flash-bang grenades and water cannons, while protesters erected barricades and even stormed a bank. The unrest is fueled by grievances over soaring education expenses, unemployment, and accusations that the government is corrupt, especially regarding a luxury tourism complex on protected land that Jared Kushner is backing.

Prime Minister Edi Rama refused to resign, offering to discuss education costs but insisting his EU accession agenda will continue. The clashes halted a parliamentary meeting and sparked similar actions in Durrës, Elbasan, Kukës and Vlorë, prompting the EU mission in Albania to call for dialogue.