Police in Albania used tear gas and water cannon to break up protests on Thursday against a planned resort linked to US President Donald Trump’s family.
It was the latest extension of the so-called “Flamingo Revolution”, which has seen almost daily protests against a major development backed by Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner in the ecologically protected area of Zvernec on Albania’s southern coast.
Police said at least 18 people were detained Thursday, while 12 officers were injured as some protesters threw eggs, stones and other objects outside the parliament in Tirana.
Interior Minister Besfort Lamlari condemned “acts of brutality and criminal violence” against the police.
The protesters have accused the government of not listening to their concerns.
“Protesters want their voices to be heard [the parliament]”For so many days the prime minister has not listened to them and ignored them,” Augustela Thoma, one of the protesters, told The Associated Press.
Why are Albanians protesting against the ‘Flamingo Revolution’?
The Sazan Island resort, known locally as “Kushner Island”, was first unveiled in 2024, but the latest wave of protests began this year after barbed wire fencing and bulldozers appeared on the beach.
Protesters initially focused on the potential environmental harm of the resort, which threatens the flamingo habitat.
But the demonstrations have since turned into a broader movement against the government of socialist Prime Minister Edi Rama, who has been in power since 2013 and accused of not doing enough to root out corruption.
The government claims the resort will be a boon for the luxury tourism sector and has condemned the ongoing protests.
Rama said on X, “The beautiful protest of citizenship, patriotism and unity has now given way to the old film of conflict, discord and violence.”
In an interview with DW on Wednesday, Rama was asked about his response to the protesters’ concerns.
“Yes, we have changed the law,” he said. “But guess what? We have not made any changes to the substance of the law, and our changes do not violate European standards and norms.”
Edited by: Shawn Sinico