foto: The Associated Press
The protests, which have already been informally dubbed the “Flamingo Revolution,” are now in their 14th consecutive day. Protesters are gathering in the center of Tirana, using the symbol of the flamingo—a species that inhabits the protected Vjosa-Narta wetlands, where part of the development is planned.
According to Reuters, the project, valued at approximately 1.4–1.6 billion euros, involves the construction of hotel complexes, villas, and tourism infrastructure on Sazan Island and adjacent coastal areas, which environmentalists consider among the country’s most sensitive natural zones.
Environmental organizations warn that the area is a critical bird migration hub and habitat for rare species, including flamingos, sea turtles, and the Mediterranean monk seal. They estimate that large-scale construction could cause irreversible damage to coastal ecosystems.
Protesters are demanding a complete halt to the project, declaring that “Albania is not for sale,” and accusing the authorities of a lack of transparency in procedures and of ignoring public opinion. In recent days, protests have repeatedly escalated into attempts to block construction sites and dismantle fences along certain stretches of the coast.
Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, for his part, continues to defend the project, calling it part of a strategy to attract foreign investment and modernize the country’s economy. He states that the initiative will not be halted despite the protests and emphasizes its potential contribution to tourism development and integration into the European Union.
According to The Daily Beast, social tensions related to land issues are also intensifying against the backdrop of the environmental conflict. Some local residents and representatives of the Greek minority cite unresolved property disputes involving plots of land included in the broader tourism plan, pointing to long-standing legal proceedings over property rights.
Meanwhile, the protest movement continues to grow, uniting environmental organizations, local residents, and opposition forces, who describe the situation as a test of the rule of law and the country’s future development model.
