The “Flamingo Revolution” protests in Albania have attracted the attention of international media. The prestigious media outlet IntelliNews has dedicated an extensive article to the 41st consecutive demonstration in Tirana, emphasizing that the movement has evolved from an environmental cause into a broad civic revolt against the government of Prime Minister Edi Rama and the country’s political class.
In the article, IntelliNews reports that thousands of Albanians marched in the center of Tirana demanding the resignation of Edi Rama, the creation of a caretaker government and the removal of the political establishment. The media also quotes the voices of the protesters, with one of them declaring that they are in the square because “the prime minister has sold out our country”, while another, coming from the diaspora, states that the protest is “the first step in the right direction” for a better future.
According to IntelliNews, the movement that began at the end of May in defense of the Zvërnec protected area has now transformed into a national protest against corruption, misgovernance, and economic inequality, also attracting the attention of European institutions and MEPs.
Thousands of Albanians marched for the 41st consecutive day in downtown Tirana on the evening of July 10, demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama and the removal of the entire political establishment. The protest movement, which began as a reaction against a tourist project in the protected area of Zvërnec, has now transformed into a broad protest against corruption, misgovernment and economic inequality.
Protesters gathered shortly after 7 p.m. at Skanderbeg Square, carrying national flags and banners, and marched towards the Prime Minister’s Office. There were speeches, music, drums, whistles and protest chants for more than two hours, before the march continued through the streets of the capital. As in recent weeks, protesters demanded the resignation of the Rama government, the creation of a caretaker government and the replacement of what they call the “old political class.”
Among the most heard slogans were “Revolution!” and “Rama in prison, Berisha in prison!”, showing dissatisfaction not only with the government, but also with the traditional opposition. Many of the participants take part in the protest every evening, while others join whenever they can, with participation increasing significantly during the weekends.
“I am here because our prime minister has sold out the country,” one protester told IntelliNews as the crowd gathered in Skanderbeg Square. A member of the Albanian diaspora said she had returned from Florence with her daughter to join the protest. “This is the first step and the most important thing is that we are moving in the right direction. I believe that things will change for our daughters, if not for us,” she said.
Other protesters stressed that the demonstrations had been peaceful, blaming a small number of paid provocateurs for the sporadic incidents. They also noted the unity of people of different faiths and ages. Drawing sheets and crayons for children were also placed near the protest site.
From Zvërnec to a national movement
The protests, which organizers have dubbed the “Flamingo Revolution,” began on May 30 near the village of Zvërnec after environmental activists tried to stop work on a luxury tourism project near the Vjosa-Nartë lagoon, one of the Mediterranean’s most important coastal ecosystems and home to hundreds of bird species, including flamingos. The project has been linked to Jared Kushner, son-in-law of US President Donald Trump, through his investment company Affinity Partners.
After the first clash between protesters and private security guards in Zvërnec, demonstrations spread to Tirana, Vlorë, Durrës, Korçë and other cities, while the Albanian diaspora organized solidarity protests abroad. What began as opposition to a single project has transformed into a broader movement against corruption, environmental degradation, economic inequality and misgovernance.
"The flamingo revolution has become the eagle revolution"
Environmental activist and tour guide Arben Kola, who has been working to protect nature and fight corruption for more than a decade, said the movement has expanded far beyond its original cause. “It started with the flamingos, the lagoon, Zvërnec and the island of Sazan. But after a few days it became clear that people were not just on the streets for the lagoon and the flamingos. They were against corruption.” “The flamingo revolution has become the eagle revolution. Flamingos teach us to fly together, while eagles teach us to protect Albania, because they fly very high.”
According to Kola, the protest has already achieved significant success by attracting international attention, but also by changing the psychological climate within the country.
"What we have achieved is that many people have overcome fear. Fear was inherited from communism and then brought back by what I call the neo-communist oligarchic state or narco-state. Now people are no longer afraid." He added that the presence of women and children at the protests is evidence of the determination to maintain the peaceful character of the movement.
Growing attention from Europe
The protests have also attracted the attention of European institutions. During an online seminar on July 6, environmental organizations and MEPs argued that the project in the Vjosa-Narte protected landscape could set a dangerous precedent for construction in Albania’s protected areas. The issue is also directly related to Albania’s European integration process, as environmental protection is included in Chapter 27 of the European Union accession negotiations.
Public discontent grew further on July 10, following the government’s decision to allocate around 4 million euros in support of rapper Kanye West’s concert in Tirana. Critics argue that the funds should have been used for public services and other urgent needs, while the government defends the decision by saying that the event will promote tourism and strengthen Albania’s events industry.
