Tirana sees sixth day of violent protests as Albania’s PM refuses to resign

At this moment, no one is clear on what tomorrow will bring, says Albanian journalist Lindita Karadaku.Violent protests have rocked Albania’s capital Tirana for the sixth consecutive day as Prime Minister Edi Rama, who is serving his fourth term, ruled out resigning.Hundreds of protesters gathered again on Sunday in front of the Ministry of Education, chanting “Rama, resign” in a tense standoff with the police, who later used rubber bullets, water cannons and tear gas to hold back the crowds.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Albania’s PM blames ‘foreign hands’ for protestslist 2 of 3Albanian police fire rubber bullets as protests against Rama escalatelist 3 of 3Protesters allege police brutality as violent clashes rage on in Albaniaend of listShops and institutions in the centre of the city have secured their doors and windows with metal shutters, while city workers removed paving stones to prevent their use by protesters.Lindita Karadaku, a journalist for Albanian news outlet TV Klan, told Al Jazeera on Sunday that it was difficult to see how the unrest could unfold or how long it could last.“Prime Minister Rama is determined and has made it very clear that he will not resign, but also the young people who are protesting are determined and make it clear that they will not give up so easily,” she said. “At this moment, no one is clear what tomorrow will bring.”Riot police take cover behind a water cannon as protesters throw fireworks during clashes at an antigovernment demonstration in Tirana, Albania, October 18, 2026 [Boris Grdanoski/AP]Rama said during a live social media stream on Sunday that “the government is not being challenged” but implied that ongoing unrest in the country might affect Albania’s path towards European Union membership.“Albanians need to think very clearly,” Rama said. “⁠Do they want this, or do they want the EU?”