Isophoric News · Sunday, October 18, 2026
Albania: sixth straight day of protests in Tirana, as the prime minister rules out resigning
Protesters gathered again on Sunday in front of Albania's Education Ministry in Tirana, chanting "Rama, resign," for a sixth consecutive day, and police later used water cannon and tear gas to hold them back, according to AFP in The Hindu and to Al Jazeera. Prime Minister Edi Rama ruled out resigning in an hour-long video, saying the protests are the "work of an outside hand" and that his government is ready to hear students' "justified demands" and discuss the cost of education. Protester Lura Elezi, 38, told AFP she is demonstrating for "a better life, rule of law and against crime and corruption." Albania's Health Ministry says 272 people have been injured since Tuesday, 169 of them police officers, and the BBC reported on Saturday that 80 people had been charged with disorder and hundreds more arrested or under investigation; the US Embassy urged "restraint and calm on all sides."