Albania's Prime Minister Edi Rama said on Thursday he will not step down amid student-led protests that have turned violent in the capital, Tirana. The statement came after three consecutive days of clashes between demonstrators and police.
The protest movement began over a proposal to build a Trump family-backed resort in Albania, a Balkan nation. Students took control of demonstrations that have roiled Tirana since June, escalating the unrest this week into street violence.
Demonstrators are calling for Rama's resignation. In response, he said: "Governments are changed through democratic elections. We had elections last year, not a revolution." Rama's refusal to resign signals his intention to remain in office despite the pressure from the protest movement.
The source material does not detail the specific nature of the clashes, the number of protesters or police involved, injury counts, property damage, or the government's response beyond Rama's statement. The material also does not explain the student movement's broader grievances beyond the resort proposal or account for opposition party statements or international reaction.