Albania protests turn violent as pressure on PM mounts

· Politics · Albania

Albanian police used water cannon and tear gas against anti-government protesters in Tirana on Saturday, as weeks of unrest continued to put pressure on Prime Minister Edi Rama's government. Masked protesters set off firecrackers and blocked roads, and police used water cannons to disperse them. The unrest reflects sustained public anger at Rama's government. Albania, a NATO member and EU candidate, has seen repeated demonstrations in recent weeks. The violence raises questions about political stability as the country pursues EU accession.

Why it matters：Sustained unrest in an EU candidate and NATO member could complicate its accession path and regional stability.

Key points

  • Police used water cannon and tear gas in Tirana.
  • Masked protesters set off firecrackers and blocked roads.
  • The unrest has continued for weeks against PM Edi Rama.

Sources (original reporting)

More stories from this day