The streets are burning: The country that dreams of Europe and sinks into chaos

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama rejected calls to resign amid violent protests, saying the demonstrations endanger the country's accession to the European Union. The protests, led by students, erupted over allegations of corruption, unemployment, and the state of education. Since the protests began, 272 people have been injured and 388 have been charged with criminal offenses.

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama yesterday (Sunday) rejected calls for his resignation on the sixth day of violent protests in the country, saying the demonstrations endanger Albania's aspiration to join the European Union. Rama said in a live Facebook broadcast that Albanians must choose between the protests and the European Union, adding that a 'foreign hand' is behind the demonstrations. The protests, led by students, erupted on Tuesday over allegations of government corruption, unemployment, and the level of education. On Saturday, the most violent day since the protests began, a courthouse, banks, and a post office were set on fire in the capital Tirana. Yesterday, protesters set fire to a police station and the entrance to the Interior Ministry. Since the protests began, 272 people have been injured, including 169 police officers, and 388 people have been charged with criminal offenses. The European Commission condemned the violence and stated that it has no place in a democratic society, emphasizing that the authorities' response must be legal and proportionate. The headline uses dramatic phrasing ('The streets are burning') that does not reflect the focused nature of the report.