Tens of thousands protest in Tirana for 35th day against Trump-linked resort project

Tens of thousands of protesters filled the streets of Tirana on Saturday for the 35th consecutive day of demonstrations, marking the largest rally yet against a controversial luxury resort project linked to former US President Donald Trump’s family. The protests, which have evolved into a broader movement demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama, underscore deep public frustration over corruption, economic hardship, and environmental concerns.

The latest demonstration, which drew its biggest turnout since the movement began in late May, saw protesters march along the capital’s main boulevard toward Skanderbeg Square, carrying banners with slogans such as “New Albania” and “Edi Rama, resign.” Some carried a bust of the prime minister, which they toppled in a symbolic gesture reminiscent of the 1991 toppling of communist dictator Enver Hoxha’s statue. Others distributed concrete “birthday cakes” mocking Rama’s 62nd birthday, while pink flamingo-shaped balloons floated above the crowd.

The protests initially erupted in response to plans to build a $4.6 billion luxury resort in the protected Zvërnec nature reserve on Albania’s southwest coast, a critical habitat for flamingos and migratory birds. The project, which involves Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump through their investment firm Affinity Partners, has become a lightning rod for broader grievances. Demonstrators accuse the government of corruption, lack of transparency, and prioritizing foreign investors over Albanian citizens. “What started as the ‘Pink Flamingo Revolution’ has turned into widespread public outrage,” said protester Alketa Ademi, 42. “Lack of transparency, arrogance—enough! The prime minister must go.”

Police responded with water cannons and tear gas after protesters attempted to storm a police station demanding the release of 19 demonstrators arrested during clashes near parliament on Thursday. Authorities reported 15 officers injured and 25 arrests, while protesters threw eggs and stones at police lines. The unrest has intensified in recent days, with demonstrators twice this week blocking access to the parliament building, clashing with riot police who used force to disperse crowds.

The movement has also gained political traction beyond the streets. A new center-right party led by lawyer Adriatik Lapaj, which has campaigned against corruption, collected signatures on Saturday outside the Interior Ministry to hold Albania’s first-ever referendums since the fall of communism. One proposed vote would abolish legislation allowing strategic investments with favorable tax breaks, while another would block a law permitting mining in protected mountain areas. “My fight is to bring foreign direct investment to Albania,” Rama said in a June interview, defending the resort project as an economic opportunity. “Developments that will not simply be great for Albania, but a gift to Europe.”

The protests reflect simmering discontent over rising living costs, stagnant wages, and limited opportunities for young people, many of whom have emigrated in recent years. The resort project, first announced in 2024, has drawn criticism from environmentalists and opposition figures alike, who argue it threatens biodiversity and local livelihoods. Critics also allege that Kushner and his wife have exploited their ties to the Trump administration to advance their business interests.

Despite the mounting pressure, Rama has dismissed the protests as a sign of democratic vitality rather than a crisis of governance. “There is not a breakdown of trust in Albania,” he told *Deutsche Welle* in early June. “This is a beautiful example of freedom, of democracy in action.” Yet the scale and persistence of the demonstrations suggest a turning point for his 13-year premiership, which has faced growing scrutiny over corruption and governance failures.

As the protests enter their sixth week, the movement shows no signs of abating. Organizers have vowed to escalate pressure, including through legal challenges and further referendums, while Rama’s government faces mounting calls to address the underlying grievances driving the unrest.