Albanian police fire tear gas at protesters as Flamingo Revolution turns violent
Demonstrators demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama clashed with riot police outside Albania's parliament on Thursday, the latest escalation of protests initially sparked by a Kushner-linked coastal resort.
A movement grows
What began in late May as an environmental protest against a luxury tourism project on the Adriatic coast has, after more than a month, swelled into a broad anti-government movement. The proposal, for a high-end resort in the Narta Lagoon area, is linked to Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of US President Donald Trump. Critics say it would threaten protected flamingo habitats and other migratory birds, and the pink bird has become the symbol of the so-called Flamingo Revolution. Thousands have marched daily, carrying cardboard flamingo cut-outs and blowing whistles.
Thursday's clashes
The protest outside parliament on Thursday morning was the second this week. Demonstrators, numbering several hundred, pelted police and lawmakers with eggs, rocks, flour and plastic bottles. Some used a metal barrier to smash the windows of an empty police car. Riot officers responded with tear gas, pepper spray and a water cannon to push the crowd away from the parliament building.
The protesters want their voice to be heard inside, as the prime minister for so many days has not heard them and has ignored them. But enough is enough.
Injuries and arrests
Casualty figures varied by source. Police reports cited three to twelve officers injured by thrown objects, while some local media said one protester was also hurt. Between 18 and 20 protesters were taken into custody on Thursday. On Tuesday, six demonstrators had been arrested after throwing eggs at lawmakers' cars.
A government on the defensive
Prime Minister Edi Rama responded with an ironic post on X, describing the once "beautiful protest of citizenship, patriotism, and purity" as having given way to "the old film of conflict, strife, and violence", and added clown emojis. Interior Minister Besfort Lamallari condemned the violence, calling attacks on police officers an attack against the state.
The government maintains that the resort, first unveiled in 2024, would transform Albania into a high-end tourism destination and support its push for European Union membership.
The beautiful protest of citizenship, patriotism, and purity has now given way to the old film of conflict, strife, and violence.
What comes next
Protesters accuse the government of corruption and a lack of transparency over a string of coastal development projects. Mistrust has lingered since an earlier scandal that forced Rama's deputy from office. Organisers have called another demonstration for Saturday, and there is little sign the daily mobilisation will fade.
