'Flamingo Revolution' in Albania: 4 Days of Protest Against New Trump Resort in Nature Reserves

Thousands of protesters in Albania have taken to the streets for four consecutive days, demonstrating against a proposed luxury resort by the Trump family. The development is planned for the Sazan island and the Vlora coast, areas that were until 2024 part of a protected nature reserve. Activists are raising alarms about the potential for irreparable harm to the region's rich biodiversity.

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Albania is not for sale

The resort, reportedly comprising around 10,000 rooms, is slated for construction in a habitat crucial for flamingos and approximately 200 other bird species. The area is also home to Mediterranean monk seals and sea turtles. The removal of the area from its protected status in 2024 opened possibilities for tourism development, attracting the interest of Affinity Partners, a company associated with Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law. Discussions with the Albanian government are reportedly ongoing, with Prime Minister Edi Rama confirming continued talks.

The protests intensified after construction crews began erecting fences and barbed wire around the site, leading to clashes with private security and police, and several arrests. Slogans such as "Albania is not for sale" and "Where will they live now?" are common among the demonstrators, who have adopted the hashtag "#FlamingoRevolution" on social media. The protests have seen some incidents, including clashes near the prime minister's office where police deployed water cannons.

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Where will they live now?

Aleks Trajçe, president of the environmental group "Protection and Preservation of Natural Environment in Albania," expressed deep concern over the lack of transparency surrounding the project. "Since the start of the project, we have seen a total lack of transparency," Trajçe stated. "We have not seen any consultation or public documentation regarding permits. Therefore, we say now: if they remove the bulldozers, remove the fence, and restore the habitats to their original state, then we can talk." The federal prosecutor's office in Albania has launched an investigation into the project, specifically examining the reasons behind the area's declassification from protected status in 2024.

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We have not seen any consultation or public documentation regarding permits. Therefore, we say now: if they remove the bulldozers, remove the fence, and restore the habitats to their original state, then we can talk.