ALBANIA'S 2026 PROTESTS

Situation as of 20 October 2026. A developing story; check current reporting before relying on any figure. Main sources: Al Jazeera (14–18 Oct 2026), France 24 with AFP/Reuters (15 Oct), Reuters via NBC (17 Oct), BIRN and Euronews/AFP (19 Oct 2026).

May 2026      "Flamingo" protests begin against a luxury resort on a
              protected coast near Vlorë (Zvërnec, Sazan), linked to a
              company founded by Jared Kushner (Al Jazeera).
8 Sep         Daily rallies in Tirana reach their 100th day.
13 Oct        Students march on the Education Ministry: tuition fees, poor
              universities, few jobs, corruption. Ministry set on fire.
14 Oct        A floor of the justice ministry burns; finance ministry entered.
15–16 Oct     Rama refuses to resign; blames "foreign hands". Protests reach
              Elbasan, Shkodër and Korçë.
17 Oct        Police fire rubber bullets for the first time (AFP).
              ~500 detained so far, 330 released (police via Reuters).
18 Oct        A police station is set on fire. 272 injured since 13 Oct,
              169 of them police (health ministry; incomplete).
19 Oct        Rama: 295 injured; "we don't negotiate with those who commit
              violence". 141 professors call for a caretaker government.

Background
  Rama        prime minister since 2013; won a fourth term in May 2025
  Population  2.8 million (2011 census) → 2.4 million (2023), −14.8% (INSTAT)
  EU          membership hoped for by 2030 (Al Jazeera)