Albania rioters clash with police for Socialist government as European unrest spreads

Clashes between police and protesters who are against Albania's Socialist government erupted in the country's capital for the third consecutive day Thursday as Prime Minister Edi Rama vowed he will not resign.

Rioters in Tirana were seen throwing rocks at a police cordon outside Albania's Education Ministry, prompting law enforcement to respond with tear gas and water cannons, according to The Associated Press.

The clashes followed riots on Wednesday when protesters attacked government buildings, banks and businesses, leaving 89 people injured, including 61 police officers.

"As for calls for my resignation, governments are changed through democratic elections.

We had elections last year, not a revolution," Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama told Reuters on Thursday.

ALBANIAN PROTESTERS FLOOD STREETS DEMANDING PRIME MINISTER'S RESIGNATION AMID CORRUPTION ACCUSATIONS "My responsibility is to listen, address legitimate concerns and keep Albania moving forward," he added.

"The alternative would be a betrayal of the Albanians who gave me a strong mandate to complete negotiations on European Union membership." Thursday's protests included student groups seeking education reforms, as well as others staging a broader anti-government movement opposed to a major development project linked to President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, the AP reported.

The so-called flamingo movement is calling for the resignation of Rama over allegations of widespread corruption.

The movement earned the name after protesters used signs depicting the pink bird.

"The message from the streets is clear: Albanians have had enough.

Public patience with Edi Rama’s socialist government has come to an end," Agim Nesho, former Albanian Ambassador to United States, told Fox News Digital on Thursday.

"The wheels are coming off Edi Rama’s socialist government.

After 13 years in power, his administration faces mounting accusations of corruption, misuse of public funds, and political favoritism," Nesho said.

"Meanwhile, poverty, unemployment, inadequate public services, and the mass exodus of young Albanians seeking better opportunities in Europe have fueled widespread anger.