Albania protests turn violent amid growing anger at government

Four days of large protests in Albania have turned violent, with demonstrators and anti-riot police clashing in several cities. The unrest has damaged government buildings and businesses, raising concern about political stability in a country seen as a leading candidate for EU membership.

The demonstrations were announced as a student movement over education costs and the rising cost of living, with secondary school pupils joining. They follow months of mostly peaceful “Flamingo” protests calling for Prime Minister Edi Rama to resign, initially over a luxury resort proposal linked to Jared Kushner and amid corruption allegations. Protesters say the current unrest grew out of frustration that earlier demonstrations were ignored; dozens of police have been injured.