Thousands of young Albanians marched through the capital, Tirana, on Friday, breaking windows and traffic lights on the fourth day of student-led protests demanding Prime Minister Edi Rama’s resignation.

The demonstrations have spread across the country. On Thursday, protesters smashed windows, raided a bank and clashed with police in Tirana. The unrest follows months of largely peaceful protests that students say the government ignored.

"They are pushing us to the limits," said 19-year-old protester Enea, who withheld his surname for fear of arrest. He urged Rama "To resign as fast as possible before everything burns down."

Students accuse government officials of corruption and neglecting education. They are also angry over plans to develop parts of Albania’s unspoiled coastline into a luxury resort backed by Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of US President Donald Trump.

Rama, who won a fourth term last year, has pledged to take Albania into the European Union by 2028. Responding to the unrest, he said on Facebook, "We will not bow to violence."

Masked students faced lines of riot police outside the Education Ministry. Several small businesses lowered their shutters and displayed messages supporting the protesters while urging them not to damage local shops.

Police clashed with protesters throwing stones in the coastal town of Lezha. Local media also reported broken windows and burning garbage bins in Elbasan, Shkodra and Korca.

"We've been protesting peacefully for 140 days, and nothing was heard. So this is our only chance to be heard and get our rights that we deserve," said 19-year-old protester Klea.

The demonstrations began over the planned resort development, which has faced legal challenges. Villagers told Reuters in July that their land had been wrongfully sold for the project. Reuters later reported that the seller was wanted by prosecutors over alleged drug trafficking. His lawyer denied the charges.

Reuters found no evidence of wrongdoing by Kushner, who is not directly involved in the villagers’ dispute.

Political analyst Afrim Krasniqi said young people saw little future in Albania. "They see that all resources in the country, political resources, economic, everything is in the hands of oligarchs," he told Reuters.

Corruption scandals have damaged Albania’s reputation. Analysts say the country has become a hub for gangs laundering money from drug and weapons trafficking, complicating its EU membership bid. Along with Montenegro, Albania is leading the EU accession process among Balkan countries.

The unrest comes amid a wider wave of student activism in Europe. In France, high school students have staged weeks of protests and blocked schools, demanding more teachers and better facilities. They say deteriorating school buildings and overcrowded classrooms are undermining education.