50 Days of “Flamingo Revolution” against Trump Family, Prime Minister, and Construction of a Luxury Resort

©picture alliance / NurPhoto | Vlasov Sulaj

On Sunday, protests took place in Tirana for the 50th consecutive day against a controversial real estate project on the Albanian coast. The protesters are now not only demanding that the plans be halted, but are also calling for Prime Minister Edi Rama to resign.

The protests began in late May as a demonstration against a luxury resort in a protected nature reserve near the Adriatic Sea, but have since grown into a broader anti-government movement. According to the demonstrators, the project symbolizes not only environmental destruction but also corruption, a lack of transparency, and excessive political influence by foreign investors.

"Rama, step down!"

Banners and chants on Sunday included: “Rama, step down," “Albania is not for sale,” and “Albania demands a revolution.” The protesters say they will not leave the square until their demands are met. On Thursday, they plan to take to the streets en masse again during a national protest march at the Albanian parliament.

Flamingo protest

The anger is primarily directed at a major tourism project linked to Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of U.S. President Donald Trump. His investment firm plans to develop a luxury resort with thousands of hotel rooms on the uninhabited island of Sazan and in the nature reserve across the coast. The area is a vital habitat for flamingos, herons, monk seals, and other vulnerable species. That’s why the protest movement was quickly dubbed the “flamingo revolution.” Environmental organizations warn that this is one of the most important biodiversity zones in the Mediterranean. Unrest intensified when the area was cordoned off and local residents began to resist what they see as a threat to their environment.

Was Trump’s son-in-law scammed?

Prime Minister Rama continues to defend the project and sees it as an opportunity to put Albania more firmly on the tourism map. According to him, nature conservation and development can go hand in hand, and the country needs foreign investment to move forward. Meanwhile, the affair is also becoming increasingly sensitive from a legal standpoint. The Albanian anti-corruption agency SPAK is investigating, among other things, the amendment to the law that allowed construction in protected areas, as well as the origin of the investments and the sale of the land. Reuters reported that the land in question may have been sold improperly and that there are questions about forged property documents. The issue has thus evolved from an environmental protest into a broad political controversy, with angry people taking to the streets and demanding Prime Minister Rama’s resignation ever more loudly.

©picture alliance / NurPhoto | Vlasov Sulaj