News: Albania, from environmental mobilization to challenge to the establishment

Initially born as an environmental mobilization against a large tourism project backed by Jared Kushner, son-in-law of U.S. President Donald Trump, the protests in Albania have quickly turned into a broader challenge to the government of Prime Minister Edi Rama. At the center of the mobilization is the protection of the protected area of the Narta lagoon and the Zvërnec peninsula, habitat for thousands of pink flamingos, threatened by the construction of resorts, villas, and tourism infrastructure.

The so-called “Flamingo Revolution,” which began at the end of May, has for almost a month now been bringing thousands of people into the squares of Tirana and other cities. Protesters accuse the government of favoring private economic interests at the expense of the environment, also denouncing corruption, lack of transparency, and a development model considered unsustainable.

As the days passed, the protest has taken on a more marked political character: alongside environmental demands, calls for democratic reforms, greater anti-corruption efforts, and, in many cases, the resignation of Rama himself have been added. However, the government continues to defend the project, arguing that it will attract billions in investments and strengthen Albania’s role as an international tourism destination. Meanwhile, the European Commission has warned Albania that the handling of the ongoing protests and the controversial tourism project linked to Jared Kushner’s company could negatively affect the country’s path toward European Union accession.

Photo credit: Camillo Cantarano