"We're trying to do it like in France." In Albania, clashes with police for the fifth day, protesters demand prime minister's resignation

On Saturday, October 17, clashes between demonstrators and police continued for the fifth day in a row in the center of Tirana, reports the BBC.

Masked protesters threw stones, pyrotechnics, and Molotov cocktails at police near the Ministry of Education. Later, the main events moved to the Prime Minister's office on the capital's main boulevard. According to the BBC, significantly more people gathered there than in previous days.

Police used water cannons and tear gas; there were also reports of rubber bullets being used. In the evening, special forces joined the police.

According to police, 167 people were arrested, and 132 police officers were injured. Seven officers were suspended from duty pending an investigation into possible excessive force.

"We were peaceful for 135 days. Now we're trying to do it like in France... trying to make a revolution," said a 19-year-old medical student, who works as an electrician to pay for his studies, to the BBC.

Students are protesting against high tuition costs and poor educational conditions. In conversations with the BBC, they emphasized that they do not trust "the entire corrupt political class," including the old opposition.

Rama refuses to resign. He blames the unrest on the opposition Democratic Party and unnamed foreign actors who allegedly want to thwart Albania's accession to the EU.

The US embassy called on all sides for restraint, stating that "violence and destruction of property are not civic activism."

The protest movement, now joined by students, has been dubbed the "flamingo revolution." It emerged in the spring amid plans for luxury resort developments linked to Jared Kushner, son-in-law of US President Donald Trump.

The projects cover Sazan Island and the coastline near protected areas. The flamingos living there have become a symbol of the protests. Local residents and environmentalists fear the destruction of natural areas, loss of access to the coast, and violation of land rights.

Rama defends the development as an opportunity to boost tourism and the economy.

Gradually, the resistance movement expanded its demands: from environmental protection and transparency in investment decisions to fighting corruption and the government's resignation.

Rama has governed Albania since 2013. His Socialist Party holds 83 out of 140 seats in parliament, and the next parliamentary elections are only scheduled for 2029.

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