Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama has told the international news agency Reuters that he will not resign over the violent student-led protests, which entered their third consecutive day on Thursday, October 15.

Police have used water cannons to disperse protesters who smashed windows and damaged public and private property across the capital, prompting Parliament to cancel its scheduled session.

Students protesting against rising education costs and corruption have demanded the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama.

"As for calls for my resignation, governments are changed through democratic elections. We had elections last year, not a revolution," Rama said in written responses to Reuters.

"My responsibility is to listen, address legitimate concerns and keep Albania moving forward. The alternative would be a betrayal of the Albanians who gave me a strong mandate to complete negotiations on European Union membership," the Prime Minister emphasized.

Rama said he was willing to discuss the rising cost of education but stressed that acts of violence had nothing to do with the students’ legitimate demands.

"Attacking institutions, destroying public property and threatening public safety have nothing to do with the legitimate demands of students," he said.

According to Reuters, the protests represent the biggest challenge yet for Rama, who secured a fourth term in office last year.

The international news agency noted that the unrest follows months of mostly peaceful demonstrations sparked by plans to build a luxury resort on Albania’s southern coast.

The project is backed by Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of US President Donald Trump, and has faced legal challenges.

Responding to Reuters about corruption, Rama defended his government’s efforts to tackle the issue.

"Corruption must be confronted and, as the EU itself has recently reaffirmed, Albania is tackling it as never before," the Prime Minister said.

He also suggested that certain forces, both inside and outside the country, might not want Albania to succeed in its European integration process.

"Perhaps some forces, at home and abroad, do not want Albania to succeed as a forerunner for EU membership. But I will not allow violence to derail Albania’s European future," Rama stated.

Reuters noted that Albania, alongside Montenegro, is currently leading the European Union accession process among Balkan countries, with Albania aiming to join the bloc as early as 2028.

Rama’s statements come at a time of heightened political and social tensions in Albania, as student-led protests enter their third day, with demonstrators continuing to demand the Prime Minister’s resignation.