Flamingo Revolution

"2026 Albanian protests" redirects here. For the opposition protests, see 2025–2026 Albanian opposition protests.

Flamingo Revolution
Part of the Southeast Europe protests (2024–present) and the Gen Z protests
Protesters in Tirana on 4 June 2026
Date	23 May 2026 – present
Location	Albania List — Tirana, Durrës, Elbasan, Fier, Korçë, Pogradec, Kukës, Lezhë, Nartë, Baks-Rrjoll/Rrjoll, Kakome, Shkodër, Rinas, Tirana–Durrës Highway, Gjirokastër, Vlorë, Zvërnec Kosovo — Pristina Albanian diaspora List — Australia (Melbourne), Austria (Vienna, Linz), Belgium (Brussels), Canada (Toronto), Denmark (Odense), France (Lyon, Strasbourg), Germany (Berlin, Hamburg, Heidelberg, Munich, Cologne, Nuremberg, Stuttgart), Greece (Athens), Ireland (Dublin), Italy (Rome, Florence, Bologna, Pisa, Genoa, Faenza, Milan), Netherlands (The Hague), North Macedonia (Skopje), Norway (Oslo), Sweden (Stockholm), Switzerland (Bern), United Kingdom (London), and United States (New York City, Chicago, Boston, Michigan) International solidarity rallies — Bulgaria (Sofia) 40°31′21″N 19°23′18″E
Caused by	Government corruption and poor governance State capture and democratic backsliding Media capture and political disinformation Opposition to proposed luxury tourism developments in the Portonovo area, Sazan Island, and Baks-Rrjoll Environmental concerns in protected coastal zones, including the Vjosa–Nartë Protected Landscape and wildlife habitats Lack of transparency around foreign-backed development projects Land ownership disputes and alleged property alienation Use of private security and violence against protesters in Zvërnec
Goals	Non-negotiable resignation of Edi Rama and the Rama government Formation of a non-partisan technical transitional government with a 12-month mandate Constitutional changes approved by popular referendum Changes to the Electoral Code and the law on party financing Lifetime two-term limit for the office of prime minister Reversal of changes to the laws on protected areas and cultural heritage Abolition of the "Mountain Package" Repeal of the strategic-investment framework Drafting of a new social contract through consultations with intellectuals, technical experts and non-party citizens proposed from the protest square
Methods	Demonstrations Public gatherings Road blockades Media boycotts Internet activism Peace walks Civil disobedience
Status	Ongoing Licences of two private security companies revoked SPAK investigation opened
Parties
Protesters Anti-government demonstrators Youth and student protesters Albanian diaspora protesters Civil society groups Environmental activists and organizations Local residents of Zvërnec, Nartë, Rrjoll and Pishë-Poro Supported by PPNEA / BirdLife Albania Opportunity Party Lëvizja Bashkë Lëvizja Shqipëria Bëhet Legality Movement Party Marjana Koçeku (Independent MP; former Socialist Party MP, from 15 June 2026) Government of Albania Socialist Party of Albania State Police FNSH Shqiponjat Associated project entities Zvërnec South Adriatic Development Affinity Partners Private security personnel Supported by Democratic Party of Albania (until 12 June 2026) Forumi Rinor i Partisë Demokratike
Lead figures
Decentralised leadership Edi Rama Sali Berisha (until 12 June 2026)
Number
Tens of thousands in daily protests; 100,000–200,000 at the 13 June rally; more than 250,000 estimated at the 20 June rally, the largest demonstration of the movement to date
Casualties
Injuries	Several protesters/civilians and at least one journalist injured or hospitalized during the 30 May Zvërnec confrontation One protester assaulted during the Rinas march Pepper spray, tear gas, water cannon and pressurized pepper water used or reported during clashes, affecting protesters and police officers.
Arrested	15 protesters subject to criminal proceedings after the 30 May Zvërnec protest At least 13 protesters arrested during Tirana clashes 3 people arrested in connection with violence against a protester 19 protesters subject to criminal proceedings after the 14 June Rinas march 16 additional protesters subject to criminal proceedings and 2 others declared wanted by police after entering the Fan Zone at Skanderbeg Square and obstructing traffic on 17 June 27 protesters subject to criminal proceedings after the 18 June Tirana protest.

On 23 May 2026, anti-government protests began in the Albanian village of Zvërnec, near the Narta Lagoon. The protests, which popularly came to be dubbed as the Flamingo Revolution, were triggered by the government's handling of preparatory works and proposed luxury tourism developments linked to the Sazan Island and Zvërnec resort project, backed primarily by American investor Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of United States president Donald Trump. Protesters and local residents objected not only to the proposed development, but also to what they described as a corrupt and opaque process involving protected-area legislation, disputed land ownership, unpublished or contested permits, private security, and limited public consultation. After violence against protesters during a demonstration near the project site on 30 May, the movement expanded to Tirana the following day and later spread to other cities in Albania, Kosovo, and Albanian diaspora communities abroad.

The scale of the protests increased, and developed into a more broad opposition against the government of Prime Minister Edi Rama, corruption, state capture, media capture, poor governance and democratic backsliding. Protesters have called for the resignation of Rama, anti-corruption investigations by the Special Structure against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK), a ban on construction in protected areas, repeal or review of the strategic-investor framework, and cancellation or review of the resort contracts. Many demonstrations have also criticized opposition leader Sali Berisha and the Democratic Party of Albania, with slogans portraying both Rama and Berisha as part of the same political establishment.

The main protests have been centred in Tirana, especially around Skanderbeg Square, the Prime Minister's office, Dëshmorët e Kombit Boulevard, Parliament and other symbolic public spaces. Daily demonstrations drew tens of thousands of participants, while larger nationwide and diaspora-focused mobilizations were held on 10, 13 and 20 June. The 20 June protest became the largest demonstration of the movement to date, with Albanian media estimating more than 250,000 participants and describing the crowd as filling much of Dëshmorët e Kombit Boulevard, from Skanderbeg Square to Mother Teresa Square. The movement has been described as decentralized, with youth and Generation Z protesters playing a prominent role, alongside civil society groups, environmental activists, local residents, public figures and diaspora communities.

The flamingo, one of the species that inhabits the Vjosa–Narta wetland ecosystem, became the main symbol of the demonstrations, giving rise to the name Flamingo Revolution. Protesters have used flamingo cutouts, inflatable flamingos, national flags and modified protest imagery to represent both environmental protection and wider civic resistance. Rama defended the project as a major foreign investment, rejected allegations of unlawful conduct, minimized the size of the protests, and portrayed parts of the movement as influenced by misinformation, foreign interests or a broader "hybrid war". His response, together with Berisha's initial support for the project, became part of the protesters' wider criticism of Albania's political class.

Background

Sazan Island Resort

Main article: Sazan Island Resort

View over the Narta Lagoon with Sazan in the background.

Ivanka Trump and her husband, Jared Kushner, first visited Albania on a private trip in July 2021. Trump and Kushner travelled the entire coastline on a yacht owned by Nathaniel Rothschild, a friend of theirs. While out swimming, they encountered the uninhabited, biodiverse island of Sazan, an abandoned military base, and were surprised it had remained undeveloped. Prime Minister Edi Rama met them on the yacht during the trip and discussed investment opportunities with Kushner a year later.

In March 2024, Kushner announced plans to invest in Sazan and the nearby coastal area on the mainland, near the village of Zvërnec. Environmental groups such as BirdLife have connected Kushner's tourism development project to an amendment to Albania's Protected Areas Law, passed shortly prior. It exempted "structures of excellence, 5 stars or more", and related hospitality activities from restrictions on construction in environmentally protected areas, such as where the project was proposed.

The Albanian government granted the Sazan project strategic investment status on 30 December 2025, noting that it would occupy 565 hectares and some 45 hectares would be developed. In 2025, Prime Minister Rama said that Albania "can't afford not to exploit a gift like Sazan" and needed luxury tourism. The land on Sazan was sold in a €1.4-billion deal, which locals and parliamentarians were unaware of until newspapers reported it. Afterwards, Albanians began referring to Sazan as "Trump Island" (Ishulli i Trumpëve).

Kushner also has plans for a larger second site: the undeveloped coastal stretch of Pishë Poro-Narta within the Vjosa–Narta Protected Landscape. It is home to endangered species such as monk seals, sea turtles and more than 200 bird species, including flamingos and pelicans. Over 10,000 accommodation units are planned. Kushner said that he wanted "to create the ideal resort that I'd want to be at with my family and with my friends", and that the government had been very cooperative. According to Rama, the projects together are worth up to €5 billion.

Ivanka Trump is also linked to the project. She mentioned her and Kushner's plans on podcasts, bringing them to wider attention. Her description of Sazan as their "private island" angered Albanians. The project became the subject of public debate. Opponents, including residents and environmental organizations, expressed concerns regarding the potential environmental impact of the development and raised questions concerning land ownership within the project area. Representatives of the project stated that the development was being pursued in accordance with Albanian law and applicable planning procedures.

Corruption and state capture

Main article: Corruption in Albania

See also: State capture

The resort controversy developed against a broader background of public concern over corruption, state capture and the relationship between political power, private business interests and public institutions in Albania. Freedom House classified Albania as "Partly Free" in its 2025 report and stated that corruption and bribery remained major problems despite reforms in the justice system. The European Commission's 2025 Albania report stated that the institutional framework for fighting corruption was in place, but that preventive measures still needed improvement and that the state police remained highly vulnerable to corruption, while also noting positive results by SPAK in high-level corruption cases.

Commentators connected the protests to wider grievances about oligarchic influence, opaque public decision-making and the use of laws for private or politically connected interests. BiEPAG described the Flamingo Revolution as exposing Albania's "systemic weaknesses", including private security violence, opaque legal amendments and a captured media landscape. Other analysis described the protests as a channel for wider anger at political elites accused of abusing power and institutions, capturing parts of the media landscape and instrumentalising the law for partisan purposes.

Democratic backsliding and concentration of power

Main article: Democratic backsliding in Europe by country § Albania

The protests also took place in the context of concerns about democratic backsliding, concentration of power and long-term political polarisation. The Socialist Party, led by Edi Rama, has governed Albania since 2013 and won a fourth consecutive parliamentary election in 2025. Freedom House described Albanian politics as competitive but highly polarised, with political parties often organised around leading personalities.

Analysts argued that the dominance of the Socialist Party under Rama and the Democratic Party under Sali Berisha had left limited space for credible political alternatives and had contributed to a toxic political environment. In this interpretation, the protests expressed not only opposition to the resort project, but also fatigue with both the government and the established opposition. The chants "Rama in prison, Berisha in prison" reflected this broader rejection of the two dominant political camps. Rama's governing style was also described by critics as increasingly associated with concentrated decision-making and reduced space for parliamentary dialogue or civil society consultation.

Media capture and government influence

Main article: Mass media in Albania § Media capture and government influence

Concerns over media capture and political influence over public information also formed part of the background to the protests. The 2026 World Press Freedom Index, issued by Reporters Without Borders, ranked Albania 83rd out of 180 countries, stating that press freedom and media independence were threatened by conflicts of interest between business and politics, a flawed legal framework and partisan regulation. It also stated that journalists who were critical of the authorities were often subjected to discrediting attacks, that access to state-held information was difficult, and that self-censorship was widespread.

Transparency International EU similarly noted concerns about concentration of mass media ownership, lack of transparency in mass media ownership, and the independence of public service media, while also reporting an increase in attacks against journalists in 2025.

During the early phase of the protests, media capture became one of the issues raised by commentators and activists. BiEPAG argued that several mainstream outlets had ignored live coverage or spread disinformation about the protests, including by amplifying claims that the demonstrations were externally sponsored or motivated by foreign interests. Reporter.al also described the use of artificial-intelligence-generated images and police-camera material against the protest narrative, linking the information campaign to attempts to discredit the movement. The reliance of protesters on social media, livestreams, memes and diaspora networks was therefore partly framed as a response to distrust of traditional media and perceived government influence over national broadcasters and major private outlets.

Beginning of the protests

Residents of Zvërnec were not informed about the development and became aware almost exclusively through media reports. At the end of April 2026, the company Zvërnec South Adriatic Development fenced off part of the protected coastal area of Zvërnec-Portonovo as part of the preparations using a disputed work permit. Residents, such as village headman Kostaq Konomi, said that the beach contained ancestral properties claimed within cadastral zone 3951; for two decades, locals have been involved in legal land disputes with businessmen such as Artur Shehu.

Reporter.al, the Albanian outlet of the Balkan Investigative Reporting Network, reported that Zvërnec South Adriatic Development was established in August 2024 and owned by Dutch Trust Management B.V, a Dutch trust, obscuring the owners' identities. The company is linked through a network of shell companies to the Sazan Island project and to Qatari investor brothers Ramez Al-Khayyat and Mohamad Al-Khayyat. The outlet also reported that the company had secured two unpublished development permits from the National Territorial Council for tourist resorts in Zvërnec, which had not been officially published, and that later preparatory fencing and access-road works were carried out after company representatives presented inspectors with an AZHT document that Reporter.al said was still awaiting formal approval. During the 2026 protests, Rama confirmed Kushner and Trump's involvement but also said that there was a wider group of investors and architects from Denmark, France, Greece, Japan, and Turkey.

On 30 May 2026, activists and local residents were assaulted by private security personnel. Police were present but did not intervene as a demonstrator was dragged inside the fenced area. These events expanded the local dispute into mass protests in Tirana.

Symbols

View of flamingos flying over the Narta Lagoon.

The flamingo became a symbol of the protests, which were described by several media outlets as the "Flamingo Revolution". Flamingos are among the species that inhabit the protected the Vjosa–Narta wetland ecosystem. During demonstrations, protesters carried flamingo cutouts and inflatable flamingos.

Some protest imagery replaced the eagle on the flag of Albania with flamingos and changed the red background to blue, a reference to the sea and wetland ecosystem. BalkanWeb described the flamingo as a civic protest symbol that was not directly associated with an existing Albanian political party.

The Straw Hats' Jolly Roger flag from the manga series One Piece was also reported to have appeared at the protests. The flag has been used in other youth-led protest movements internationally as a symbol of resistance to authority. Some sources have described the demonstrations as Gen Z protests due to Generation Z's prominent role in their organization and symbolism.

Protests

May 2026

On 23 May, local residents and environmental activists gathered near the Narta Lagoon to protest the barbed-wire fencing of Pishë Poro-Narta beach, part of the protected Vjosa–Narta landscape. According to Reporter.al, protesters carried banners defending the natural environment and opposing what they described as the seizure of local property by business interests linked to the government.

On 30 May, demonstrators gathered near the project site in Portonovo. During the protest, confrontations occurred between protesters and private security personnel present at the site. Videos and photographs published by Albanian activists and journalists showed physical altercations and the use of pepper spray during the incident. According to local reporting, pepper spray also affected police officers and Lëvizja Bashkë activist and journalist Loreta Koleci. Following the events, Albanian authorities announced investigations into the conduct of individuals involved.

On 31 May, the protests expanded to Tirana for the first time. The march began near the State Police Directorate, continued to the Ministry of Interior and then moved to the Prime Minister's office. Protesters called for action over the previous day's violence in Zvërnec and used slogans including "Albania is not for sale" and "cancel the project".

June 2026

Protesters in Tirana on 4 June

On 1 June, protesters again gathered in Tirana against the planned resort project, with the rally announced for Skanderbeg Square under the slogan "Our voice, our future". A parallel demonstration was also organized the same day by the Albanian Pro-Family and Life Coalition, opposing a Ministry of Health directive that introduced hormone therapy for transgender people into the public health system at the University Medical Center of Tirana "Mother Teresa". The Zvërnec protest continued to focus on construction in protected areas, transparency over the development project and opposition to the use of public authority for private tourism interests.

On 2 June, thousands of demonstrators gathered in Skanderbeg Square before marching towards the prime minister's office. Under the slogan "Albania is not for sale", protesters carried banners criticizing the involvement of Jared Kushner and his wife, Ivanka Trump, demanding the immediate cancellation of the development contracts due to a perceived lack of transparency. Organized groups refused a subsequent offer by Prime Minister Edi Rama to meet with a 20-person delegation, choosing instead to sustain ongoing public demonstrations.

On 3 June, thousands of demonstrators in chanted "Resignation", "Rama in prison, Berisha in prison", and "Opposition sold out". Demonstrators demanded the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama and his government, criticized opposition leader Sali Berisha, who supported the project, and called for the repeal of changes to the law on protected areas. The Associated Press reported that demonstrators broke through a police cordon and that police used water cannon to disperse the crowd. The protesters were attempting to reach both Mother Teresa Square and Arena Kombëtare, where a football match between the Albanian and Israeli national teams was about to start.

Reuters photographs from the same day showed demonstrators clashing with police during a protest against the planned resort. Protesters also carried flamingo cutouts and inflatable flamingos, referencing the wildlife of the Vjosa–Narta wetlands. Protests also occurred outside the Democratic Party of Albania's headquarters, criticizing the party's position on the project and Berisha's support for it. A few protesters also took anti-Israel stances, claiming that the takeover was part of an "Israeli agenda" to take over Zvërnec, which some sources characterized as misinformation or conspiracy theories and not representative of the main demands of the protest movement.

On 4 June, several thousand protesters marched towards the Prime Minister's office in Tirana, demanding, among other things, the resignation of the government. Reuters reported that demonstrators again held pink inflatable flamingos and chanted "revolution" and "stop the project".

On 5 June, protesters continued demanding the resignation of the Prime Minister and political changes in the country. On the same day, protests also spread to six other Albanian cities: Korçë, Fier, Kukës, Vlorë, Elbasan and Durrës. In Durrës, citizens marched through several parts of the city with a large Albanian flag, while in Kukës a group of young people gathered in the city's main square in solidarity with the Tirana protest. In Elbasan, activists and residents also joined the protest movement, while Korçë residents held a separate demonstration against the planned resort.

On 6 June, there were continued calls for the resignation of the government, along with demands to repeal the strategic investor framework.

Protesters in Tirana on 7 June

On 7 June, demonstrators again gathered in front of the Prime Minister's office and later marched through the capital's streets, including the Blloku area, calling on others to join them. The same day, protests were also reported in Shkodër, Korçë, Pogradec, Fier, Elbasan and Gjirokastër. In Shkodër, protesters marched through the city and in front of the city hall, chanting "get up from the coffee shop" to encourage broader participation. In Korçë and Pogradec, protesters marched against the political class while carrying signs such as "oligarchs have no limits" and "today the flamingos, tomorrow me"; in Elbasan, protesters marched for the third consecutive time along the city's main boulevard; in Fier, the protest was reported as the fourth consecutive local demonstration; and in Gjirokastër, several dozen citizens joined the nationwide protests. Rama was spotted wearing a flamingo T-shirt when visiting Shkodër. Albanian-Australian lawyer and swimmer Eva Buzo participated in the protests in Tirana.

On 8 June, demonstrators marched from Skanderbeg Square towards the Prime Minister's office. Protesters continued to demand the resignation of the government and political change, while chanting slogans such as "Albania is not for sale", "Revolution", and "Rama in prison, Berisha in prison". During the protest, tensions emerged after members of the Youth Forum of the Democratic Party of Albania (FRPD), a party officially against the protest, attempted to join the demonstration. After the chant "Berisha is finished", some FRPD members confronted activists of Lëvizja Bashkë and its member of parliament Redi Muçi, calling on him to leave the protest. In response, other demonstrators chanted for FRPD members to leave, accusing them of attending the protest only to create division among participants. Organizers also announced a change in strategy, limiting public speeches to a small number of selected representatives from fields such as science and education. The protest attracted international media attention, including live coverage by Reuters.

On 9 June, demonstrators gathered at Skanderbeg Square and marched to the Prime Minister's office, where they held speeches for two hours before continuing through city streets. The main demand remained Rama's resignation, while protesters chanted "Rama in prison, Berisha in prison" and "Albania belongs to Albanians".

On 10 June, the protest in Tirana was organized as a larger nationwide gathering and coincided with the 148th anniversary of the League of Prizren. Protesters used the slogan "Prizren 1878, Tirana 2026", with banners comparing the gathering of Albanians from five Ottoman vilayets in 1878 to the participation of Albanians from five continents in 2026. The demonstration was among the larger mobilizations of the movement, with participants continuing to demand the resignation of the Rama government, which they blamed for corruption and poor public services, including healthcare. Albanian commentators and media described the protest as having broadened from its initial opposition to the Zvërnec project into a wider challenge to the political system, the main parties and the Rama government.

On 11 June, protesters gathered in Skanderbeg Square and marched towards the Prime Minister's office, continuing to demand Rama's resignation. The demonstration was framed as a revolt against misgovernment, abuse of power and corruption. The slogan "Albania is not for sale" continued to be used, while another article described the previous day's march as having drawn hundreds of thousands of citizens.

On 12 June, the protest in Tirana was held under the slogan "Our voice, our dignity, our future". Thousands of citizens demanded the departure of the government and Rama's resignation, while continuing to use the slogan "Albania is not for sale".

On 13 June, residents of Rrjoll protested against a separate resort construction project, bringing pliers to cut barbed wire around the construction site. BalkanWeb reported that residents broke through part of the fencing and entered the construction site, while tensions occurred with police and private security.

Later that day, the Tirana protest was organized as another nationwide mobilization, with a special focus on the Albanian diaspora. Organizers had called on Albanians from the districts and abroad to gather in Skanderbeg Square, and the rally was expected to draw a higher number of participants than previous daily protests. The protest was one of the largest gatherings of the movement, with international media estimating the crowd at 100,000 to 200,000 participants. Drone footage showed the crowd extending along Dëshmorët e Kombit Boulevard from the government buildings towards Skanderbeg Square, while participants continued calling for Rama's resignation and for action against corruption across the political class. After more than three hours of speeches in front of the Prime Minister's office, protesters began a long march through Tirana under calls for the government's resignation. Diaspora protests were also planned in major cities across Europe, North America and elsewhere, with participants calling for Rama's resignation.

On 14 June, thousands of protesters marched from Skanderbeg Square towards the Prime Minister's office, carrying national flags and placards and calling for Rama's resignation. Some protesters also directed appeals to SPAK, calling for action against corruption and investigations into officials suspected of breaking the law. After around two hours in front of the Prime Minister's office, protesters continued their march through Tirana and moved onto the Tirana–Durrës Highway, blocking the highway for several hours before heading towards the Rinas road and Tirana International Airport Nënë Tereza. Around 02:00 on 15 June, police units, including Shqiponjat and Rapid Intervention Forces (FNSH), stopped the march near the airport. Protesters sat on the Rinas road for about an hour, chanted that the police belonged to the people rather than Rama, and eventually decided not to advance further, returning towards Tirana and dispersing in the early morning hours.

On 15 June, demonstrators gathered for several hours in front of the Prime Minister's office before marching along the Boulevard and through central Tirana. The march passed through the former Blloku area, where participants called on people in cafés to join them, while slogans continued to target Rama and the wider political establishment. Activist Luçiana Kokaj said she had been called to a police station to explain the previous night's Rinas march, which she described as spontaneous and not pre-organized. She added that protesters respected the State Police and would continue to protest within the law.

On 16 June, organizers announced that the daily Tirana protests would begin at 19:00 instead of 18:00 because of high temperatures. After assembling in Skanderbeg Square and outside the Prime Minister's office, participants followed a route through central Tirana that included the Taiwan area, the municipality, Parliament, Shkolla Kosova and the House of Europe. Outside the Parliament building, protesters chanted against members of parliament, using slogans such as "Parliament of crime" and "sold Parliament", before continuing along Elbasan Street and again calling on bystanders to join. Later that night, after passing through the Boulevard, protesters entered the Fan Zone set up in Skanderbeg Square for 2026 FIFA World Cup broadcasts, where chants for Rama's resignation drowned out the sound from the football screening. The following day, 16 protesters were placed under criminal proceedings and two others were declared wanted after the Fan Zone incident, on accusations including obstruction of traffic, disturbance of public order and participation in an unlawful gathering.

On 17 June, protesters gathered outside the Prime Minister's office before marching along the Boulevard and through several streets of Tirana. They continued calling for Rama's resignation and used slogans including "Rama in prison, Berisha in prison" and "Albania belongs to Albanians".

On 18 June, after assembling in Skanderbeg Square, the march was redirected toward the Parliament building, where a plenary session was taking place and Rama was present. Protesters called on members of parliament to resign and chanted slogans including "Parliament of crime", "Rama resign" and "Rama in prison, Berisha in prison". Rama's motorcade left shortly after protesters gathered outside Parliament, while Socialist Party MP Ardit Bido was involved in a verbal confrontation with protesters before police escorted him away. The march then continued toward the Prime Minister's office, stopping briefly outside the Democratic Party headquarters, where protesters again used slogans against both Rama and Berisha, before proceeding through Tirana toward the Komuna e Parisit and Rruga e Kosovarëve areas.

On 19 June, protesters gathered at 19:00 in Skanderbeg Square, marched toward the Prime Minister's office and continued through the city before returning to the square. The main demand remained the unconditional resignation of Rama and his government.

On 20 June, the twenty-first consecutive day of protests became the largest demonstration of the movement to date. The protest was organized as a nationwide anti-government mobilization in Tirana, with participants arriving from across Albania and from the Albanian diaspora. Diaspora protesters entered the capital in motorcades ahead of the evening rally, including groups that had travelled from abroad and passed through Muriqan and Shkodër before continuing toward Tirana.

Protesters gathered in Skanderbeg Square and marched toward the Prime Minister's office, filling much of Dëshmorët e Kombit Boulevard. The crowd was described as extending from Skanderbeg Square to Mother Teresa Square, while other reports described the area from the Rogner Hotel to Skanderbeg Square and the Pyramid square as filled with protesters. Albanian media estimates placed participation at more than 250,000 people, with protesters demanding Rama's resignation and chanting slogans against both Rama and Berisha.

The protest included large national symbols, including an Albanian flag unfurled at the Pyramid of Tirana and red-and-black balloons released along the boulevard. Former Socialist Party MP Marjana Koçeku, who had left the Socialist parliamentary group and become an independent MP, also joined the protest. Speeches were held in front of the Prime Minister's office, while activists described the protest as surrounding the government building and announced plans to continue pressure on Parliament and ministries.

After the speeches ended, thousands of protesters began marching around the Prime Minister's office and surrounded the government building. Protesters said the crowd was so large that it was difficult to determine where the march around the building should begin.

Some protesters remained on Dëshmorët e Kombit Boulevard overnight, spending the night in front of the Prime Minister's office for the first time since the beginning of the protests. They gathered between the Prime Minister's office and Parliament, continued chanting slogans including "Rama in prison" and called on SPAK to investigate senior officials. The protest remained under police monitoring during the night, with no official reports of serious incidents by the following morning.

On 21 June, the protest wave also reached Kakome, where residents and emigrants, mainly from Nivicë, gathered in a symbolic protest over long-running property disputes in the bay. Protesters removed sections of fencing, guard cabins and surrounding wires, saying they were defending land they considered ancestral property. Participants said the Kakome dispute had continued since 2004 and accused successive political forces of failing to resolve the issue. Around 250 people took part, including residents, emigrants who had returned from Greece, local supporters and foreign visitors. The protest was peaceful and no confrontations were reported.

On 22 June, the protest coordinating group presented a five-point platform of official demands addressed to Rama and the government. The demands were described as having been drafted after proposals from citizens during more than three weeks of protests. They called for the non-negotiable resignation of Rama and his cabinet, the creation of a non-partisan technical transitional government with a 12-month mandate, constitutional changes approved by popular referendum, changes to the Electoral Code and party-financing law, and a lifetime two-term limit for the office of prime minister. The platform also reaffirmed the movement's original environmental and legal demands, including the repeal of changes to the laws on protected areas and cultural heritage, the abolition of the "Mountain Package", repeal of the strategic-investment framework, and the drafting of a new social contract through consultations with intellectuals, technical experts and non-party citizens proposed from the protest square.

On 23 June, the Union of Trade Unions of Albania held a protest in Tirana as part of the wider protest wave. The demonstration called for higher wages, better working conditions for public-service employees, an increase in staffing levels, stronger social dialogue and collective bargaining, and greater protection of trade-union rights. Union representatives said that shortages of personnel and resources were affecting the quality of public services and public safety, and called for an end to the privatization of public services. Miners also joined the protest, with one participant criticizing low pensions. Protesters repeated anti-establishment slogans against both Rama and Berisha, calling on them to resign and saying that they should leave space for young people to take part in the political system. The union said that protests would continue if its demands were not met.

International protests

Rally by the Albanian diaspora in Toronto on 6 June

Several solidarity rallies were announced and later held among Albanian diaspora communities in Europe, North America and Australia, while additional protest calls circulated for other cities. Early international rallies and protest calls included Berlin, Munich and Stockholm on 5 June; London, Milan, Florence, New York City, Washington, D.C. and Toronto on 6 June; Brussels, Bologna and Skopje on 7 June; and a further New York gathering announced for 15 June.

On 7 June, diaspora protests were also held in several cities including London, Brussels, Hamburg, Milan, New York City and Bern, with participants opposing the government's handling of the planned developments and calling for greater transparency and accountability. Further simultaneous rallies were planned for 14 June in 17 cities across Europe and North America, including New York City, Chicago, Boston, Michigan, Toronto, Berlin, Munich, Cologne, Stuttgart, Athens, Genoa, Faenza, The Hague, Strasbourg, Vienna, Oslo, and Odense.

Australia

On 13 June, people gathered in Melbourne in support of the protests in Albania, calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama and a change in government.

Austria

On 6 June, Albanians in Vienna held a protest against the Albanian government, carrying placards such as "Albania is not for sale" and chanting for Rama to resign.

Belgium

On 7 June, people gathered near the headquarters of the European Union in Brussels in support of the protests in Albania, carrying Albanian flags and placards calling for environmental protection and transparency over the planned development.

Bulgaria

On 8 June, during a protest organized by Andrey Ralev in Sofia, demonstrators called upon the European Union to act immediately and side with the protesters in Albania.

Canada

On 6 June, people in Toronto took part in the protests, wearing red and black clothing and carrying Albanian flags while calling for Prime Minister Edi Rama to resign. Toronto was also listed among the cities where further diaspora rallies were planned for 14 June.

France

On 13 June, Albanians gathered in Lyon with flags and flamingo symbols in support of the protests in Albania.

Germany

On 5 June, several hundred demonstrators gathered near the Embassy of Albania in Berlin to protest against the project, while also raising concerns about pensions, working conditions, education, and government policies affecting young people. On the same day, another rally was held near the Albanian Consulate in Munich, with the call "For nature, for justice, for Albania". On 7 June, diaspora protests were also held in Hamburg, Stuttgart and Heidelberg. On 13 June, dozens of Albanians gathered in Nuremberg as part of the diaspora protests. On 14 June, Albanians held another protest in Munich alongside the demonstrations in Tirana, chanting "Rama in prison, Berisha in prison". On the same day, several hundred people participated in a demonstration in Cologne.

On 16 June, Rama was confronted by Albanian protesters in Berlin during his visit to the Annual Conference of the Eastern Committee. As he left the event, protesters chanted slogans including "Edi Rama, traitor, resign as soon as possible", "Shame", "Cancel the project" and "Cancel the law"; Rama waved at the protesters before entering his car.

Ireland

On 13 June, people gathered in Dublin to protest against Rama's government and demand his resignation.

Italy

On 6 June, around 2,000 people gathered in Milan to join the protests, holding signs, singing national songs and shouting slogans against the Albanian government. On the same day, 450 people gathered in Florence for a similar protest. On 7 June, hundreds of Albanians gathered in Bologna, chanting slogans against Edi Rama and opposing the planned resort project. On 14 June, diaspora rallies continued in Italy. Genoa and Faenza were listed among the planned 14 June gatherings, while protests were also held in Rome and Pisa, where participants carried Albanian flags and placards and called for the resignation of the Albanian government.

North Macedonia

On 7 June, a solidarity protest was listed in Skopje, at Macedonia Square, as part of the international protest calendar connected with the movement.

Sweden

On 5 June, a protest was held in Stockholm with the call "Save Vjosa-Narta". On 13 June, the Albanian diaspora in Stockholm again protested, chanting "Rama resign" and "Rama in prison" and accusing the Albanian government of selling the country.

Switzerland

On 7 June, people gathered in Bern as part of wider diaspora protests held in several European and North American cities. On 13 June, another protest was held outside the Embassy of Albania in Bern, with participants calling for Rama's resignation.

Albanian protestors outside of the Albanian embassy in London, 7 June 2026

United Kingdom

On 6 June, members of the Albanian diaspora gathered outside the Embassy of Albania in London to protest against the planned resort development and call for Rama's resignation. The protest continued the following day, when Albanians living in the United Kingdom gathered again outside the embassy with national flags and placards calling for environmental protection, transparency and Rama's resignation. On 13 June, Albanians in London again gathered with flamingo symbols and Albanian flags as part of the wider diaspora mobilization.

United States

On 6 June, an estimated 1,500 to 2,000 people gathered outside the Albanian Consulate in New York City in support of protecting the Vjosa-Narta wetlands and opposing the planned resort project. A second New York gathering was planned for 14 June. On the same day, members of the Albanian diaspora also gathered outside the Albanian Embassy in Washington, D.C., calling for the resignation of Rama and the government.

Reactions

Government

Prime Minister Edi Rama rejected allegations regarding the unlawful transfer of public property, stating that the land included in the project had been legally acquired by private owners. On 2 June, Rama rejected demands to cancel the project. SeeNews reported that he said there was "no chance" the investment would stop while he remained in office, describing it as a major foreign investment intended to support Albania's tourism development. The Associated Press also quoted Rama as saying that Albania should not fear a project involving partners investing 4 billion euros.

Rama sought to minimize the scale of the demonstrations, stating that the protest had around 2,000 participants and had not exceeded 8,000 even at its peak, while accusing international media and social networks of distorting the situation and creating a "digital hysteria" around the issue. In early responses to the movement, Rama also suggested that foreign media and outside interests were amplifying or exploiting the protests. On 1 June, referring to Greek media coverage, he asked how Greek newspapers could be allies of Albanians in defending Albania's environment and said the public was being manipulated. Albanian media and commentators later described a sequence of official and pro-government narratives that portrayed the protests as connected to foreign actors, including Greek, Serbian, Russian and Iranian interests. Rama further stated that the protests were part of a "hybrid war" orchestrated by enemies of Albania and Israel, specifically citing Iran. Esmail Baghaei, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran, publicly denied it, calling such claims a "laughable accusation" and a way to deflect public demands in the country.

Rama described some protestors as "ignorant" and "delusional" and said they refused negotiations while using environmental concerns to oppose foreign investment. He asked rhetorically what he should resign from, while linking his mandate to Albania's negotiations with the European Union. During remarks in Vlorë, he stated that some protestors "had no logic" and were "dërrasë nga truri", an Albanian expression meaning thick-headed or brainless. In a social media post after a protest in Zvërnec, he asked demonstrators who had parked vehicles on sand dunes to not "violate the flamingos' beach" with cars and rubbish, and said the birds might think construction of a parking lot had begun.

Political AI-Generated video by Taulant Balla mocking the allegedly "opportunistic" stance of the Democratic Party and Berisha on the protests

Reporter.al published an article on 10 June describing how disinformation was used as a political tool by Ardit Bido, an MP of the governing Socialist Party. The article focused on the claim that the investment was being relocated to Mykonos in Greece, describing it as a false narrative designed to undermine the protests and confuse citizens. It also mentioned Taulant Balla, who claimed that some protesters were from Serbia by sharing photos of the car of Reuters journalists.

After online calls to boycott a concert by singer Yll Limani, Rama accused parts of the protest movement of creating a climate of verbal violence, pressure, vulgarity and threats against those who did not align with the demonstrations. He said that intimidation against people who thought differently showed a degradation of public life and compared such pressure tactics to the early behavior of extremist political movements.

During his podcast Flasim on 14 June, Rama said the protests were harming tourism and local economies, pointing to cancellations of foreign tourist reservations and warnings from tourism operators in Vlorë and Durrës. He argued that an agenda aimed at blocking Albania "from all sides" had previously been used by what he called the "molotov-makers", and that it would not succeed. In the same remarks, he accused parts of the protest movement of having a "fascist component" and a "fascist spirit", saying that some protesters were bullying and threatening people who did not support or join the demonstrations. He also described the slogan "Albania belongs to Albanians" as part of that fascist spirit, comparing it to nationalist slogans used by far-right movements in other countries. Some Albanian outlets summarized the remarks as Rama describing protesters as "hajvanë" (lit. 'brutes') with a fascist mindset.

In an interview with Vanity Fair Italia on 16 June, Rama defended the project and said that the transaction for the Zvërnec coastal site had been suspended until the lawful ownership of the land was clarified. He argued that the criticism of the project was based on "half-truths" that had turned into a "giant lie", said that Sazan Island was not being sold but considered for a partnership, and stated that a concrete project had not yet been finalized. Rama also said that the development would be made public once ready and that environmental discussions would follow, while repeating that he believed part of the protest narrative was encouraged by Iran and by Albania's tourism competitors.

The same day, Rama shared a statement by the Union of Albanian Journalists concerning online attacks against journalists, using it to renew his criticism of what he described as the "fascist spirit" of online bullying connected to the protests. He also posted footage from the demonstrations and claimed that some protesters had assaulted drivers who did not honk their car horns in support of the march. On 17 June, he again criticized the movement in a social media post, describing protesters as "extremists seeking power from the street" and arguing that street pressure, online bullying, public shaming and intimidation were being used to silence people who disagreed with the demonstrations.

On 20 June, Rama increasingly framed the protests as a digital and algorithm-driven phenomenon. In a speech to Socialist Party MPs and government ministers, he said that Albania had become the centre of a "digital cyclone" and argued that social-media algorithms rewarded conflict, outrage, fear and attention rather than explanation or responsibility. He described the protest square as a "studio" used to produce content for platforms and to "feed the algorithm", saying that the twenty-first century was producing a new "proletariat of the algorithm". The following day, he again said that the protests were being shaped by "algorithm hysteria", arguing that citizens were being drawn into a narrative built on half-truths, emotion and false amplification rather than facts.

His emphasis on the algorithm prompted further criticism from opposition media and commentators, who argued that the government had lost the online battle to protest memes and youth-driven social-media content. Rama also posted a video mocking influencers and bloggers who had supported or amplified the protests, but many comments under the post criticized him instead. Critics also described the government's earlier digital strategy as relying on propaganda, public-administration engagement and social-media control, arguing that Rama had previously measured the work of government through the "likes" that public-administration employees were expected to give to official posts. Other commentary framed the conflict as a battle for the algorithm that the government and older political class had lost to the protest movement's memes, slogans and decentralized online circulation.

In a 23 June interview, Rama rejected accusations that he was a "Godfather" figure in Albania and used an expletive toward those making such claims, saying that it was for his critics to prove the allegation rather than for him to prove the opposite. He also defended the Kushner-linked investments as legitimate, denied that they were connected to money laundering, and said that Albania was fighting corruption more strongly than before. Rama acknowledged that money laundering was part of the Albanian economy, but argued that it was not large enough to define the economy as a whole. He also repeated his claim that the protests had been encouraged by opponents of Donald Trump, including Iran, and said that the coastal development plans would continue despite the demonstrations.

In response to opposition protests against a development project in Zvërnec, Taulant Balla criticized Democratic Party leader Sali Berisha and the opposition for what he described as a reversal of their previous support for the project, stating it was opportunistic and not genuine. Balla shared an AI-generated video depicting an owl transforming into a flamingo, which he used as a metaphor for the opposition's alleged change in stance. He also mocked Berisha's visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina, which Balla alleged was done as to gather support from there for the protests. He then commented on Ina Zhupa's speech in regards of the protests, calling it a "Flamingo speech" from Temu, and stating that "owl birds have started to behave like flamingos" and that they were trying "to steal the protests", referring to the rest of the Democratic Party.

Socialist Party-affiliated politicians

Former foreign minister Arta Dade rejected an invitation to a Socialist Party anniversary event and also declined a symbolic award from Rama, publicly distancing herself from the leadership. She described the gathering as a staged "anti-rally" and instead expressed support for the ongoing protests, arguing that the authentic spirit of socialism was being represented in the streets by young people demanding dignity and social rights.

Former Europe and foreign minister Elisa Spiropali reacted to the protests by calling for a "new agreement for Albania", arguing that the country needed stronger institutions and greater limits on political power. In a public statement, she emphasized the importance of institutional accountability, democratic opposition, media freedom, and reforms aimed at strengthening the rule of law and state governance.

Former socialist minister Ermelinda Meksi said that Rama concentrated on downplaying the size and media coverage of the demonstrations instead of properly addressing concerns about transparency, corruption, and public consultation.

Former foreign minister Ditmir Bushati praised the demonstrations as "protests of dignity" that showed wider public dissatisfaction beyond party politics. He criticized the government's response and called for political reflection, warning about the concentration of power and weakening of democratic accountability.

Marjana Koçeku announced that she was leaving the party's parliamentary group and would continue as an independent member of parliament. Koçeku, who had been elected in 2025 from the Socialist Party's closed list in Shkodër, said that her ideals and values were the same as those she had held before joining a political party. On 15 June, after posting an image of a flamingo on social media, she publicly aligned herself with the protests calling for Rama's resignation. On 17 June, Koçeku wrote on social media that her family had been threatened by the Bajra group in Shkodër, a group described in Albanian media as a Shkodër-based criminal group. The group had previously been the subject of organized-crime investigations: in 2018, police arrested 11 people during an operation against the northern "Bajri" criminal group, while later reporting by BIRN noted that some defendants initially arrested as alleged members of a criminal organisation were ultimately convicted on lesser charges such as illegal gambling and illegal possession of weapons. The group had also been politically controversial in Shkodër before the protests; in 2023, Democratic Party leader Sali Berisha accused the Socialist Party of winning the Shkodër municipality with the help of the Bajra gang, while Socialist Party parliamentary leader Bledi Çuçi responded that he had no knowledge of such links and that, if the claims were proven true, anyone who broke the law would not be protected by the party. Koçeku warned that she would respond if her family was harmed, while the Bajraj family's lawyer, Sokol Tahiraj, rejected her claims as baseless and said that any allegation should be presented to the competent institutions. Shkodër police said that Koçeku had not filed a formal complaint. Her departure was welcomed by Democratic Party leader Sali Berisha, who called on other Socialist MPs to leave Rama and said that such a move could open the way for a no-confidence motion against the prime minister. Berisha also said that the opposition would support the constitutional demands of the civic youth protest.

On 20 June, Koçeku appeared at the protest on Dëshmorët e Kombit Boulevard, joining demonstrators who were demanding Rama's resignation.

On 23 June, Koçeku published an open letter to Rama calling on him to resign. She wrote that the protests were not directed against the United States, but against what she described as an internal political system built over decades on fear, servility and alienation. Koçeku said that Albanians were no longer inspired by Rama or the old political class and argued that the government faced a deep crisis of legitimacy. She also criticized the Socialist Party leadership, saying that it did not accept dissent, debate or moral sensitivity, and urged Rama to listen to the protesters. In the letter, she said that Rama's final political act should be his resignation, and claimed that in recent private messages he had told her she would be left alone and without public trust.

Former finance minister Arben Malaj said that the protests reflected deeper problems in governance, and that Prime Minister Rama's resignation was a realistic outcome because, in his view, his "personal government" had become corrupt and would eventually collapse.

Project developers

In a public statement, the developer stated that the project was being carried out in accordance with Albanian law and applicable planning procedures. Reuters quoted Asher Abehsera, chairman of Sazan Real Estate Development LLC, as saying that the developers' focus remained on "responsible stewardship, environmental enhancement, job creation, and creating long-term value for local communities".

On 22 June, Affinity Partners, the investment firm led by Jared Kushner, denied that it was involved in the Zvërnec resort project that had triggered the protests. The company said the project was being developed by Sazan Real Estate Development LLC rather than Affinity Partners, and that any American partners involved in the initiative were acting in a personal capacity rather than as representatives of Affinity Partners. In a statement, Abehsera said the aim of the project was to celebrate Albania's natural beauty, create jobs and build something of which future generations could be proud, while adding that its future would ultimately be determined by Albania and the Albanian people.

Judiciary

Following the 30 May incident, the Albanian State Police announced investigations into events at the protest site. The General Directorate of State Police subsequently suspended the Director of Police of Vlorë, stating that information initially released regarding the incident had been inaccurate. Police authorities also announced criminal proceedings against 15 protesters, while two private security employees were placed under investigation. On 1 June 2026, State Police revoked the licences of the private security companies Myrto Security 1.3A and Major Security, citing violations connected to violence during the Zvërnec protest.

On 3 June 2026, BalkanWeb reported that two additional people had been arrested in connection with the dragging of a protester during the 30 May incident, bringing the number of people arrested in connection with the violence against the protester to three. According to the report, police stated that the two additional suspects did not appear as registered private security guards.

During the subsequent Tirana protests, further arrests and criminal proceedings were reported. On 4 June, Al Jazeera reported that at least 13 protesters had been arrested during clashes in Tirana. After the 14 June march along the Tirana–Durrës Highway and toward Rinas, police announced criminal proceedings against 19 people, saying they had blocked traffic. On 17 June, 16 protesters were placed under criminal proceedings and two others were declared wanted after protesters entered the Fan Zone at Skanderbeg Square and obstructed traffic.

On 19 June, the Tirana Police announced that 27 people had been identified and placed under criminal proceedings in connection with the 18 June protest in Tirana. Police said the individuals were suspected of actions affecting public order and safety, including obstructing the circulation of vehicles, disturbing public order and moving through several city roads beyond the officially notified time and route of the gathering. Police also stated that one vehicle had been seized and that work was continuing to identify others responsible for unlawful actions during the protest.

On 2 June 2026, Albania's Special Anti-Corruption Structure (SPAK) announced that it had officially opened a preliminary corruption investigation into how the coastal land titles within the development zone were processed and transferred to private entities. The Guardian later reported that SPAK had launched an inquiry into controversial legislative changes adopted in 2024 regarding protected areas.

International response

European Union

The delegation of the European Union in Albania requested information from Albanian authorities regarding developments in the area. Representatives of the delegation emphasized the importance of environmental protection and conservation standards within Albania's European Union accession process. On 7 June 2026, the European Commission warned that the proposed project could complicate the country's EU accession process. Brussels stated that Albania must comply with EU environmental legislation, specifically the green Chapter 27, and reiterated concerns over recent changes to the country's protected areas and strategic investments laws. German member of the European Parliament (MEP) Sebastian Everding addressed the protests in the European Parliament (EP), declaring "Albania is not for sale" and arguing that the country's natural heritage should not be sacrificed for major economic projects. Dutch MEP Tineke Strik further called for a moratorium on the planned development, citing strong public opposition in Albania and stating "Albania is not for sale," while urging the EP to take a clearer stance on the issue. Dutch MEP Anna Strolenberg similarly emphasized that Albanian citizens have legitimate concerns over transparency, living conditions, and the use of public resources, and that development should not come at the expense of basic social needs. She further announced plans to visit Albania to engage directly with local stakeholders. Italian MEP Ilaria Salis framed the protests as a defence of popular sovereignty, arguing that demonstrators were opposing a government that does not protect public interests and warning against the sale of land and natural resources to private investors.

On 17 June, the European Parliament adopted its resolution on the 2025 Commission Report on Albania by 483 votes in favour, 103 against and 70 abstentions. In the resolution, Parliament stated that corruption remained a serious concern in Albania and called on the authorities to consolidate the track record of investigations, prosecutions and final convictions, particularly in high-level corruption cases. It welcomed the work of specialised anti-corruption institutions, including SPAK, while calling for their independence, adequate resourcing and investigative powers to be protected. The resolution also expressed concern over Albania's strategic-investment and permitting frameworks in environmentally sensitive areas, and called for the repeal of the 2024 amendments to the Law on Protected Areas, which it said allowed large-scale tourism infrastructure within protected areas and weakened environmental oversight by transferring key decision-making powers to the National Council of Territory.

Other countries

• Greece – The Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed concern over the events in Zvërnec, stating that a Greek citizen had been injured during a protest concerning residents' property rights. The ministry said that the Greek Embassy in Tirana had requested full clarification of the incident and accountability from Albanian authorities, and emphasized the importance of rule of law, minority property rights and environmental protection in the context of Albania's alignment with the European acquis.

• Italy – The Greens and Left Alliance, specifically Angelo Bonelli, condemned Edi Rama, stating that he was selling out his country's natural patrimony to foreign investors and stating his solidarity with the protests.

• Israel – Israeli ambassador to Tirana Galit Peleg expressed concern that the presence of anti-Israeli slogans, messages and symbols by a portion of the protesters could fuel antisemitism. She also remarked that "banners displayed at the protest reminded her of Germany in the 1930s".

• Kosovo – Former parliamentary candidate of Vetëvendosje Hysamedin Ferraj joined the protests in Tirana, appearing alongside Arlind Qori, leader of Lëvizja Bashkë. His participation followed earlier involvement by Vetëvendosje activists in protests opposing the project and calling for political change.

Public and organisational support

Environmental and other organizations

Protestors with depiction of various animals on Sazan on Tirana's Dëshmorët e Kombit Boulevard, June 7

Environmental organizations opposed the project on the grounds that it threatened the Vjosa–Narta wetland ecosystem and protected coastal habitats. 18 environmental organisations announced a boycott of all consultation processes with the Ministry of Tourism and Environment until the amendments to the Law on Protected Areas are withdrawn. In a joint statement, they rejected participation in what they described as a flawed process that fails to address the fundamental weakening of protected-area safeguards.

Reuters reported that PPNEA-BirdLife Albania called for construction to halt and heavy machinery to be removed from the protected area. The Guardian quoted PPNEA executive director Aleksandër Trajçe as saying that the project had lacked transparency, public consultation and public documentation regarding permits, and that talks could begin only if bulldozers and fencing were removed and habitats restored. The World Wildlife Fund criticised the ongoing development activities in the area, stating that they are causing significant environmental damage to a key biodiversity area in the Adriatic region. The organisation called on the Albanian government to stop the works and ensure compliance with environmental legislation and international conservation commitments. EuroNatur criticised the project, saying that required environmental procedures were not properly followed and that the development does not meet basic standards of sustainable planning. The organisation warned that EU nature protection rules, including Natura 2000 and the Emerald Network, have been clearly breached and effectively ignored. The Climate Action Network stood in solidarity with Albanian citizens and civil society organisations mobilising to defend the ecosystem, supporting the protests and calling for an immediate halt to construction, the reinstatement of full legal protections, and stronger guarantees for transparency and public participation in environmental decision-making.

The European Democratic Party elaborated that the protests show democratic participation and called on the Albanian government to listen to citizens, adding that Europe cannot be built by treating nature as a bargaining tool or institutions as private property. The International Socialist League also supported the protests, saying it stands with the movement's demands and the right of local communities to decide over their land and natural resources. The Council of Albanian Ambassadors openly supported the protests and called for Rama to resign.

More than 120 Albanian academics living and working abroad signed a public declaration in support of the civic protests. The signatories called for greater transparency, accountability and justice in governance, arguing that public dissatisfaction reflected long-standing political and institutional failures. The declaration also raised concerns about the state of education, science and innovation in Albania.

The non-profit association of the Albania national football team Tifozat Kuq e Zi boycotted the friendly match against Luxembourg on 6 June to join the protests in front of the Prime Minister's office, which were in their seventh consecutive day.

Other organizations supporting the protests include:

• Code Pink
• Moviment Graffitti

Public figures

Public figures who publicly supported the protests include:

• Robert Aliaj
• Eva Buzo
• Lorik Cana
• Elvira Dones
• Aurela Gaçe
• Ermonela Jaho
• Marjana Koçeku
• Jonida Maliqi
• Sonila Meço
• Bernie Sanders
• Shkodra Elektronike
• Alban Skënderaj
• Tayna
• Lea Ypi
• Robert Wilton

Other reactions

The protests in Albania were also joined by foreign tourists, who expressed solidarity with the demonstrators. American singer Katy Perry drew attention on social media after posting a comment "Delulu island" under a video in which Ivanka Trump discussed a proposed tourism development project on Sazan Island. A photograph of protesters in Tirana during ongoing demonstrations was selected by The Guardian as one of its "photos of the day".

See also

• 2026 in the environment
• Environmental issues in Albania
• List of protests in the 21st century