politics
Protests in Albania Enter Second Week Over Coastal Development Plans
Demonstrations in Tirana have expanded from opposition to two large resort projects on protected Adriatic coastline into calls for the political establishment to resign. Organizers have used social media to coordinate gatherings without formal leadership or party structures.
MA
japantoday.comAudio version
Tap play to generate a narrated version.
Developing·Limited corroboration so far. This page will refresh as more sources emerge.
Protests in Albania have continued into a second week, with demonstrators gathering in Tirana's main square and marching toward the prime minister's office while carrying flags and homemade banners. The demonstrations began as opposition to two proposed €5 billion luxury developments on protected stretches of the Adriatic coast.
The projects would affect areas where flamingos nest, giving the movement its name.
What started as resistance to specific construction plans has broadened to calls for the entire political establishment to step down. Protesters say both major parties, which have held power since the early 1990s, are willing to sell national assets to outside investors. The movement has no formal leaders or party organization and relies on TikTok and word of mouth for coordination.
Union officials have warned that Albania's path toward membership could be affected if environmental regulations are not followed. The protests have continued without reported incidents of violence.
