"Boisterous weekend" unfolds in Albania, too — fires, crowds of protesters, and gunfire

 Police are firing rubber bullets at demonstrators. Violent clashes with security forces have broken out near government buildings.

The struggle in the capital’s city center has intensified for the fifth consecutive day. Protesters are attempting to seize government facilities and are hurling cobblestones at police, who are responding with water cannons.

Earlier, on October 15, an ultimatum was issued demanding the Prime Minister’s resignation. Edi Rama refused to step down, prompting the demonstrators to continue their protests. Prior to this, protesters had set fire to the Prime Minister’s office and the Ministry of Finance building, and subsequently ransacked the Ministry of Economy building in Tirana.