Protests demanding Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama’s resignation entered an 11th consecutive day in Tirana on Friday, as university lecturers, medical students and healthcare workers joined the demonstrations. Marchers gathered outside Rama’s office and overturned concrete blocks bearing the word “dialogue”, which he had placed there to signal his willingness to negotiate. Student protesters rejected the invitation. Rama also published a list of 45 people he alleged had criminal records, arguing that the demonstrations were not exclusively student-led. One medical student named on the list publicly disputed the allegation. The protests reflect anger over education costs, corruption and limited economic opportunities. Rama’s government faced protests over corruption earlier this year. Previous demonstrations have turned violent, with protesters erecting burning barricades and throwing fireworks. Police responded with tear gas and water cannons. An independent Polish research centre reported about 1,000 detentions or arrests by Thursday. Organizers have called for further nationwide protests on Saturday.
