By Klentiana Mahmutaj, THE BANKER
In Albania, the protests that became known as the “Flamingo Revolution” were initially sparked by plans to build a luxury resort in the Narta Lagoon area, a project linked to Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner. The government has presented the initiative as a major opportunity for the economy, but many citizens oppose it, questioning both the project itself and the way it has been pushed forward.
Të lidhura
None found
After 37 consecutive days, these protests are no longer only about a single investment. They have become a reflection of broader public discontent over corruption, lack of transparency, inequality and the concentration of power. At the same time, they reject the idea that major decisions affecting land, public resources, local communities and the environment can be made without genuine citizen involvement.
Regardless of how this specific case ends, the core of the debate remains the same: what kind of foreign investment should Albania welcome, and under what conditions?
The role of public opinion is not an optional courtesy or a symbolic act. It is a fundamental pillar of democratic governance, especially when an investment may have major consequences for the environment, livelihoods, cultural heritage or local communities. Development cannot be measured only by economic growth, construction sites or the value of capital entering the country.
Development is also a human right. The UN Declaration on the Right to Development of 1986 recognizes that every person and all peoples have the right to participate in, contribute to and benefit from economic, social, cultural and political development. Its core idea is clear: development must be people-centered, inclusive, equal and accountable.
Therefore, a mandate to govern cannot mean distributing public wealth without prior consultation and without independent oversight. Neither a press conference, nor an official announcement, nor a plan presented as a done deal can replace genuine dialogue with the people, lives and communities directly affected.
When citizens are left out of the process, or when consultation remains merely formal and has no real influence on the decision, development loses its democratic substance.
This is not an argument against foreign investment. Albania needs capital, opportunity and economic growth. Its citizens deserve economic, social, political and cultural progress. However, investments must be made with the public, not over it.
The importance of involving communities is also shown by foreign investors themselves, who often seek to gain what is known as a “social license to operate.” This is not an official permit issued by the state, nor does it replace legal authorizations or regulatory approvals.
It means the ongoing trust and acceptance of affected communities toward a given project. That trust is built through dialogue, respect for people’s rights and a credible effort to address their legitimate concerns.
The European Union’s legal and policy framework links economic activity to environmental protection, responsible business conduct, transparency and the real participation of affected communities. These are not secondary obstacles to development; they are an essential part of how the EU understands development as a sustainable and legitimate process.
As Albania moves closer to membership in the European Union, several MEPs have joined the protests in Tirana. This makes it clear that the credibility of this path will depend not only on economic progress, but also on the strength of the rule of law, the quality of public institutions, environmental protection, transparency in decision-making and citizens’ ability to participate in public life.
Albania has been treated unfairly by history. Its people deserve to be part of the European family of nations, to which they have always belonged. But that future cannot be secured through projects that fuel public distrust or reinforce the belief that the country’s most precious assets can be divided up without real democratic consent.
Under such conditions, development does not appear as a shared opportunity for the country, but as an exploitative process that takes away land, natural beauty, public resources and, ultimately, democratic dignity.
In a country where concerns over corruption and the cost of living remain at the center of public debate, the divide between those who have power and those who do not is not only economic. It touches the very foundation of social life.
The questions that arise are straightforward: whom does the state serve, whose voice is heard, and whether public assets are managed in the public interest.
Foreign investment is not a problem in itself. It can bring jobs, infrastructure, new knowledge and opportunities. But it must be transparent, environmentally responsible and grounded in genuine citizen participation.
These are not obstacles to development. On the contrary, they are the conditions for sustainable development and a functioning democracy.
Perhaps the Flamingo Revolution will be remembered as a turning point that pushed both of these directions forward: fairer development and stronger democracy.
