Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama accuses protesters of crossing red line

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama accused anti-government demonstrators of crossing a red line on Monday as protests continued across the country, Euronews reported. The European Commission condemned the violence on Sunday, stating that it had no place in a democratic society and that the state response must remain proportionate and within the law. [1]

According to Euronews, anti-government Flamingo protests have continued in Albania for months, but clashes escalated early last week after a student movement launched fresh demonstrations over high tuition fees. Albanian Daily News reported that Prime Minister Rama stated the government must not negotiate with violence, while the South China Morning Post noted that Rama has refused to resign. [1][3][4]

As FTMQ News reported earlier, tens of thousands of student protesters gathered in Tirana over education costs and social conditions, throwing bricks and stones at the Education Ministry and setting fire to a government building and two banks. Police in the capital responded with tear gas, water cannon, and rubber bullets, according to earlier reports from FTMQ News and Al Jazeera. Euronews previously reported that police arrested 16 people, with 49 others facing criminal proceedings. [2][8][9]

Rama has served as the prime minister of Albania since 2013 and chairman of the Socialist Party of Albania since 2005. He previously served as mayor of Tirana from 2000 to 2011 and as the minister of culture, youth and sports from 1998 to 2000. [7][8]