Albania's Prime Minister refuses to resign as violent protests enter a sixth day

19 October 2026

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama rejected demonstrators' demands that he resign as violent anti-government protests entered a sixth day. Police fired water cannon and tear gas in the capital Tirana on Sunday, October 18, 2026, where hundreds gathered in front of the Education Ministry chanting 'Rama, resign' before clashes spread across the city centre. The student-led protests have rocked Tirana since Tuesday, October 13, with protesters calling for action over poor university conditions, high tuition fees and corruption. Albania's Health Ministry said 28 people were injured on Sunday, 19 of them police officers. Rama ruled out resigning, having said earlier in the week that governments are changed through elections, and said the protests challenged Albania's path towards European Union accession rather than his government.