July 2, 2026, 10:39 p.mJuly 2, 2026, 10:39 p.m
Protesters try to remove a barrier.Image: keystone
Opponents of a luxury real estate project in an Albanian nature reserve clashed with police during their protest in the capital Tirana. The demonstrators tried to block the parliament building and threw eggs and flour at the police, Albanian media reported. Officers used water cannons and pepper spray to push back the crowd. Arrests were made and several people were injured.
The protest was directed against the planned development of parts of the Narta lagoon in the delta of the Vjosa river by American investors. A company owned by Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of US President Donald Trump, is in charge. Luxury hotels, villa complexes and leisure facilities are to be built in the Bay of Zvernec and on the island of Sazan.
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 areas for flamingos, herons and other birds. That’s why thousands of people have been demonstrating every evening in Tirana for more than a month. The media is now talking about a “flamingo revolution”.
Thursday’s protest was the first to take place during the day and was aimed at blocking Parliament. 18 people were temporarily arrested, the state news agency ATA reported, citing the police. 15 police officers and 4 demonstrators were treated for injuries in hospitals, the agency wrote.
Protesters demand Rama’s resignation
The demonstrators are also demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama. They suspect corruption behind his insistence on the project. The socialist politician had the law on nature reserves watered down almost two years ago. This makes it possible for the Vjosa Delta to be developed for luxury tourism.
Rama, in turn, claims that there is currently no building permit. In fact, at the end of May, construction machinery drove onto the intended site, triggering the wave of protests that continues to this day. (sda/dpa)