TIRANA: Independent lawmaker Marjana Koceku has joined Albania’s student protests demanding Prime Minister Edi Rama’s resignation, a year after he selected her to stand for parliament.
Koceku, 25, criticised government policies during Friday’s demonstrations in the capital as police used tear gas and water cannons nearby.
However, Rama rejected calls to resign. He argued that governments should change through democratic elections rather than violence, pointing to last year’s vote.
Police figures show officers detained 500 protesters and subsequently released 330. Authorities recorded injuries to approximately 120 police officers and 45 protesters.
Demonstrators set fire to government buildings and banks and threw paving stones at police this week. Both the government and police condemned the violence.
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Meanwhile, protesters cited corruption, limited job opportunities and frustration with a government they believe ignores their concerns. Some said they turned to violence because earlier demonstrations failed to get them heard.
Months of largely peaceful protests preceded this week’s clashes. Those demonstrations began over plans for a luxury resort on Albania’s southern coastline.
The development, backed by US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, has faced legal challenges. Koceku cited opposition to the project and its environmental implications as part of her disagreements with government policy.
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Rama had recruited her as part of an effort to bring younger representatives into his Socialist Party. She now sits as an independent.
Koceku comes from the mountains of northern Albania, where her family runs a small lakeside guest house. “Our country is the Albanian people,” she said.
