For the tenth consecutive night, thousands of Albanians have taken to the streets of Tirana, demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama. The protests, which began as a localized opposition to a planned tourism development in the Pishe Poro area and on Sazan Island, have evolved into a broader anti-establishment movement targeting both the government and opposition parties.
On Wednesday evening, demonstrators gathered at Skënderbej Square before marching toward parliament, chanting “Rama in prison, Berisha in prison” — a reference to former Prime Minister Sali Berisha, now chairman of the Democratic Party of Albania. Organizers deliberately scheduled the rally to coincide with the anniversary of the League of Prizren, a 19th-century event seen as a symbol of Albanian national unity, and called on Albanians at home and abroad to join.
From Coastal Development to National Crisis
The protests were initially triggered by concerns over a proposed investment from a venture linked to Jared Kushner, former U.S. President Donald Trump's son-in-law, in a protected coastal area. The luxury project has two components: a coastal development in the Narta Lagoon, a wildlife reserve, and a smaller resort on the uninhabited island of Sazan, a former communist-era military base. The government argues the development would be transformational for Albania as it seeks to enter the high-end tourism market and push for European Union membership.
However, the movement has since expanded into a broader campaign challenging a range of government policies. Protesters have advanced five key demands: the resignation of the government; the repeal of legislation granting special status to strategic investors; the withdrawal of the Mountain Package; the reversal of amendments to the Law on Protected Areas; and the repeal of amendments to the Law on Cultural Heritage.
Rama told Euronews last week that opposition to the project is being amplified by bots, antisemitic narratives, and hostile external forces aiming to fuel tensions in Albania. The government has not indicated any willingness to back down.
EU Pressure Mounts
The European Commission has weighed in, urging Albanian authorities to act without delay to avoid jeopardizing the country's bid to join the EU. On Tuesday, spokesperson Guillaume Mercier said, “Albania should refrain from actions that could undermine the fulfilment of the closing benchmark, in this case Chapter 27, and so we expect the Albanian authorities to act without any delay.” Chapter 27 of EU accession talks requires candidate countries to align with the bloc's environmental rules.
The protests in Albania are part of a wider pattern of civic unrest across Europe, from anti-immigration protests in Belfast to demonstrations in Brussels over alleged police brutality. In Albania, the movement reflects deep frustration with political elites and economic stagnation, as the country struggles to balance development with environmental protection.
As the protests continue, the government faces a critical test: whether it can address public grievances while maintaining its EU accession trajectory. The outcome will have implications not only for Albania but for the wider Western Balkans region, where similar tensions between development and democratic accountability are simmering.
