Plagued by manipulated elections, mismanagement and corruption, the new Balkan republic of Kosovo has seen little progress since it declared independence in 2008. Frustrated young people accuse the many U.N. and E.U. officials in the country of stifling development, and consider their prime minister to be a puppet of the Americans.

Albin Kurti has turned the pockets of his jeans inside out, and he is holding a red balloon by a string. "Kosovo," Kurti shouts into the microphone, "is the poorest country in Europe." He raises his voice, which is already hoarse: "But our politicians are rich. The higher the unemployment in the general population, the bigger their cars and the fatter their bank accounts." He punctures the balloon.

It's a hot day, and Kurti, 36, is wearing a white shirt as he stands on a pedestal in the middle of a crowd. His stage is downtown Pristina, with its hastily built postwar buildings, the mirrored tower of the government headquarters building and the nondescript concrete structure that houses the local United Nations office. The protesters' banners read: "Albin, stop the thieves" -- a reference to Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi and his administration. A police officer who is handing out water bottles estimates that there are about 800 protesters.

Later members of Kurti's party, Vetevendosje!, will clear the square, collect the empty water bottles and thank the policeman. It is merely a gesture, but it symbolizes what Kurti and his supporters advocate: personal responsibility. Vetevendosje means "self-determination" in Albanian.