Civic revolt / France 24: The protests have become a symbol of discontent with the government, demonstrators demand Prime Minister Rama’s resignation

French media outlet France 24 has reported on the protests in Albania, which have entered their second month. In an article dedicated to yesterday’s situation (July 2), when clashes with the police took place, France 24 writes that “opposition to the project to build a luxury resort in the protected area of Zvërnec has turned into a symbol of broader dissatisfaction with corruption in Albania.”

The article also stresses that “the protesters are demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama, accusing the government of a lack of transparency regarding the project.”

According to the French media outlet, the protest, which began at the end of May in opposition to the construction of a luxury hotel linked to Ivanka Trump and her husband, Jared Kushner, on Albania’s southwestern coast, has now taken on a broader political character.

For the second time this week, hundreds of protesters gathered in front of Albania’s Parliament, trying to prevent lawmakers from entering the building. Clashes broke out after police intervened to disperse the crowd.

According to France 24’s report, citing AFP journalists on the ground, police used tear gas, pepper spray and water cannons to disperse the protesters, while some of them tried to break through the police cordon.

Albanian police announced that 15 officers were injured during the incidents and received hospital treatment, while four of them remain hospitalized. In addition, 25 protesters were detained.

On the other hand, the Ministry of Health said that two protesters were injured and received medical assistance.

During the tensions, some protesters were seen smashing the windows of a police vehicle parked near the protest area.

France 24 recalls that on Tuesday six people were also arrested after throwing eggs at lawmakers’ vehicles, stressing that these incidents mark an escalation of the protests, which until now had been held mainly peacefully.