FLASH NEWS
German media: "Flamingo Revolution" shocks Rama, protests against the government turn into revolt for the future of Albania
2026-06-22 14:55:15 / AKTUALITET
“We have never experienced anything like this before in Albania.” This is how Florian Haçkaj describes the atmosphere of the protests that have been gathering thousands of citizens in Tirana for more than two weeks.
In its extensive reportage dedicated to developments in Albania, the prestigious German media outlet Handelsblatt brings the story of an Albanian immigrant living in Switzerland who returned with his family to join the protest.
"I've been gone for 24 years, but my heart is still here. Finally, Albanians are no longer afraid, finally they are daring to stand up," Haçkaj is quoted as saying among thousands of protesters gathered on "Dëshmorët e Kombit" Boulevard.
According to the German newspaper, the protests against the planned luxury resort in Vjosa-Narta and on the island of Sazan have turned into a much broader civic movement, which is openly challenging Edi Rama's government and the country's way of governing.
The Zvërnec and Sazan Project
According to Handelsblatt, investors Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump are behind the controversial project. The German media recalls that the Vjosa-Narta region is considered one of the most important wetland areas in Europe, home to over 200 bird species, including more than 70 endangered species. The article highlights that opposition to the project is not only related to the environmental impact, but also to the way decisions are being made for the development of protected areas. Why flamingos became a symbol of the protest Handelsblatt explains that flamingos, which breed in the Narta lagoon, have become the main symbol of the protest. For this reason, the movement has been baptized by the protesters themselves as the “Flamingo Revolution”. However, according to the German media, for many citizens the project is only “the last straw”. The anger accumulated over years against corruption, clientelistic benefits and the lack of transparency in the political elite is considered the real reason for the outbreak of the protests. Distrust of institutions The analysis highlights that Albanian citizens' trust in state institutions remains low. "Although there is still no concrete evidence of procedural irregularities in this case, for many Albanians the suspicion of corruption is immediate," writes Handelsblatt, adding that the country has been constantly faced with accusations of nepotism, lack of judicial independence and political interference since the fall of communism. The protesters' political demands The German media also highlights that the protesters are demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama, but also the removal of opposition leader Sali Berisha. According to Handelsblatt, at the heart of the protests that have already crossed Albania's borders and are being supported by the diaspora in various European countries, lies the question of who the country really belongs to and in what direction Albania's future will go. In conclusion, the German newspaper emphasizes that the spark that ignited the wave of protests was the publication of a video regarding the planned project, but today the movement represents a much broader dissatisfaction with the political class and the way the country is governed.
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