TIRANA, Albania — Albania’s government on Friday defended its payment of four million euros ($4.6 million) to support the upcoming performance by US rapper Kanye West in its capital, amid reports of weak ticket sales.

Albania’s Prime Minister Edi Rama is facing criticism from opposition figures and arts groups in the country after announcing the funding support for Saturday’s concert.

The announcement comes as daily protests demanding Rama’s resignation, first sparked by a planned resort linked to US President Donald Trump’s family in the country’s south, spill into a second month.

The movement, triggered by the development in a protected nature reserve, has become a catalyst for anger over perceived corruption in the country.

Responding to the criticism in a press statement, the country’s culture minister, Blendi Gonxhe, said it was important to ensure the concert went ahead to put Tirana on the “map of capitals hosting events of this scale.”

“The success of a concert is not only measured by the revenue from ticket sales,” Gonxhe said, citing estimated benefits to tourism that the event could bring.

The rapper has caused widespread outrage with........

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