The 77-day-long protests in Albania against the government of Edi Rama have attracted the attention of the Italian media outlet “La Notizia Giornale” , which has dedicated a long article to the so-called “Flamingo Revolution”. In the article, the Italian media outlet emphasizes that the protest began in Zvërnec against developments in a protected area, but then moved to Tirana and took on a broader political dimension, with the main demand for the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama.
According to "La Notizia Giornale", the protesters also demand the repeal of three laws related to protected areas, strategic investments and investments in mountainous areas.
The article focuses specifically on the Sazan resort project and the involvement of the company linked to Jared Kushner, also mentioning SPAK's investigations into the changes in the status of the area and the source of financing for the land purchase. The Italian media also devotes an important part to the reaction of the European institutions. It mentions the European Parliament's report on Albania and the call for a moratorium on new construction permits in protected areas.
“The Italian Account”
A separate chapter of the article is dedicated to relations between Rome and Tirana, especially the agreement on migrant centers in Shëngjin and Gjadra.
According to the Italian media, Italy's interests in the implementation of this agreement may also explain the reserved attitude of Giorgia Meloni's government towards political developments and protests in Albania. "La Notizia Giornale" emphasizes that Italy is one of Albania's main economic partners and brings to attention Meloni's statements, which described Rama as "my friend Edi Rama". The article argues that Rome has an interest in the functioning of the migrant protocol, while Tirana needs the support of an important European partner.
In conclusion, the Italian media describes Rome's silence on the Albanian protests as a "clause that no one wrote," raising questions about the interests behind this stance.
