Clashes at Protests Against Trump Son-in-Law's Project in Albania

Thursday's protest was the first to take place during the day and was aimed at blocking parliament. Several hundred participants were pushed back by security forces from the parliamentary building, with some attempting to break through police lines. As early as Tuesday, six demonstrators had been detained during earlier protests for throwing eggs at the cars of members of parliament.

Background: Luxury Project on the Adriatic

The protests are against a luxury hotel project on Albania's Adriatic coast. The lead is being taken by a company of Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of US President Donald Trump. Luxury hotels, villa complexes, and leisure facilities are to be built in the nature reserve in Zvernec Bay and on the island of Sazan. The protest was directed against the planned development of parts of the Narta lagoon in the delta of the Vjosa River by American investors.

The project was first presented in 2024. At the end of May, construction machinery moved onto the designated site, triggering the wave of protests that continues to this day. Barbed wire and bulldozers appeared on the beaches of Zvernec, sparking resistance from local residents and environmentalists.

Environmental Concerns and Corruption Allegations

Environmentalists fear that the project could cause lasting damage to the sensitive ecosystem in the Vjosa Delta on the Adriatic. These include resting and breeding grounds for flamingos, herons, and other birds. Prime Minister Edi Rama watered down the law on nature reserves just under two years ago, they criticize.

Rama in turn claims that there is currently no building permit at all. The demonstrators suspect corruption behind Prime Minister Rama's insistence on the project. Calls for his resignation are growing louder at the protests.

Expansion into a Protest Movement

In Tirana, thousands of people have been demonstrating every evening for more than a month. Albanians living abroad also traveled to the rallies. The protests had previously been largely peaceful. The media now speak of a "Flamingo Revolution."

The demonstrations have since expanded into a broader movement. In addition to the controversial construction project, the protests are directed against corruption, rising costs of living, problems in the health system, low pensions, and a lack of prospects for young people.

Police initially provided no information on the number of arrests. It was only during the course of the day that the temporary detentions were announced via the state news agency. The Thursday protest was already the second this week; a similar action had taken place in front of parliament the previous Tuesday.