For the 46th consecutive day, citizens and environmental activists have gathered on the “Dëshmorët e Kombit” Boulevard in front of the Prime Minister’s Office. The ongoing demonstration, which has become a persistent fixture in the capital, features daily speeches and public messages directed against current government policies.
Protesters are demanding major changes to the political landscape, the step-down of the political class, and the immediate repeal of Law 21/2024, Euronews Albania reports. Demonstrators maintain that they will continue the rallies until their demands are met.
The Core of the Dispute: What is Law 21/2024?
While the protests have evolved into a broader civic movement calling for governance reform, anti-corruption efforts, and accountability, the primary spark remains Law No. 21/2024 (the amended Law on Protected Areas).
This legislation has drawn fierce opposition from local residents, environmental groups, and international bodies:
National & International Escalation
Dubbed by some as the “Flamingo Revolution”—with the pink flamingo of the endangered Vjosa-Narta wetlands serving as the movement’s symbol—the protests have gained significant momentum:
- Jared Kushner’s Luxury Project: The protests intensified following the fast-tracked approval of a $1.6 billion luxury resort project backed by Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump, planned for Sazan Island and the Zvërnec coastal area.
- Celebrity Endorsement: Global pop star Dua Lipa publicly threw her support behind the movement, calling the civic mobilization “inspiring” and criticizing the lack of public transparency in rewriting environmental laws.
- European Union Pressure: The European Parliament and European Commission have warned that undermining environmental safeguards risks derailing Albania’s EU accession path (specifically Chapter 27 on environment and climate change). The EU Parliament has explicitly called for the repeal of the 2024 amendments.
The Government’s Stance
Prime Minister Edi Rama has consistently defended the high-end tourism strategy, arguing that the projects are vital for Albania’s economic transition. He has characterized the protesters as “well-meaning but misinformed”.
However, under mounting public and European pressure, the government recently signaled it would amend the legislation governing protected areas to better align it with European Union standards, though a full repeal of Law 21/2024 has not yet been accepted. For the citizens on the street, anything short of a full repeal remains unacceptable.
