TIRANA, Albania: Corruption scandals, unemployment and growing frustration with the government have fueled anger among young people in Albania, leading to violent protests in the capital, Tirana, this week.

Demonstrators set fire to government buildings and banks and threw paving stones at police, demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama.

Among those joining the protests was Marjana Koceku, a 25-year-old independent member of parliament who had once been chosen by Rama to represent his Socialist Party. She joined large student demonstrations calling for him to step down.

Koceku's political career changed last year when Rama personally selected her to contest a parliamentary seat. She was among several young lawmakers whom he hoped would give his party a younger image. However, she has since become critical of his government.

Albanian authorities have condemned the violence. Police figures show that 500 protesters were detained, with 330 later released. Around 120 police officers and 45 protesters were injured, although the actual number of injured demonstrators may be higher because many cases were not recorded.

The unrest is part of a wider wave of student activism across Europe. In France, high school students have also organized protests and blocked schools for weeks, demanding more teachers and better facilities.

Speaking during the demonstrations on October 16, while police used tear gas and water cannons nearby, Koceku said, "The country is amazing, but ... the wrong policies that have been implemented by this political elite are completely against what the Albanian communities and Albanian citizens have been asking and seeking for so long."

Rama, a former basketball player, has led Albania since 2013. He won a fourth term in last year's elections, but his government has faced several corruption allegations. He denies wrongdoing and told Reuters this week that he would not resign.

He argued that governments should be replaced through elections rather than violence, saying that Albania had held democratic elections last year. Despite his refusal to step down, the protests are considered the strongest challenge to his leadership so far.

The demonstrations follow months of largely peaceful protests against plans to build a luxury resort on Albania's southern coastline. The project has attracted controversy because Jared Kushner, son-in-law of U.S. President Donald Trump, is among its backers.

Villagers said in July that their land had been wrongfully sold for the development. Reuters later reported that the man who sold the land was wanted by prosecutors on suspicion of drug trafficking. His lawyer denied the allegations.

Reuters found no evidence of wrongdoing by Kushner, who is not directly involved in the villagers' dispute. He did not respond to requests for comment.

Another controversy emerged last year when prosecutors alleged that Rama's deputy prime minister had helped award construction contracts to favored companies. Both Rama and his deputy denied the accusations.

Koceku said the resort project upset her because of its impact on nature and the country's land. She comes from the remote mountains of northern Albania, where her family operates a modest guest house beside a lake.

Protesters said they had turned to violence because they felt the government had ignored their concerns. Koceku argued that Albania's future belonged to its citizens, not individual leaders or governments.