“The Flamingo Revolution” Does Not Back Down / Austria’s Public Broadcaster Echoes Protests in Our Country: Citizens Accuse Rama of Corruption

Austria’s public broadcaster ORF has highlighted the protest against Prime Minister Edi Rama in Albania. ORF opens its article by writing that “The Flamingo Revolution” in Albania continued over the weekend, with recent clashes with police as well.

In the article, ORF writes that the demonstrators, who have taken to the streets every day for weeks, are denouncing corruption in the country and demanding the resignation of the Rama government.

The Austrian broadcaster points out that the project envisions the construction of hotels, villas, a marina and around 10,000 rooms for tourists, while opponents view it as a threat to the natural reserve.

ORF further stresses that during the clashes in front of Parliament, police used tear gas and water cannons, while there were also arrests and injuries.

ORF also mentions the Albanian Helsinki Committee, which has called for an independent investigation into allegations of excessive use of force by the police.

ORF Full Article:

“The Flamingo Revolution” in Albania continued over the weekend. Tens of thousands of people once again protested against the massive construction project by the son-in-law of US President Donald Trump, Jared Kushner, in an environmentally protected area. There has also recently been anger over police violence against demonstrators.

Saturday’s rally in Albania’s capital, Tirana, was, according to the AFP news agency, the largest since the demonstrations began at the end of May. The “flamingo protests” began as an environmental movement against the construction of the tourist resort in the Zvërnec nature reserve on Albania’s southwestern coast, an important breeding site for flamingos.

The protests have now also turned against the Albanian government. Demonstrators, who have taken to the streets every day for weeks, are denouncing corruption in the country and demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama.

The Albanian government has long sought to boost its economy through tourism. However, demonstrators accuse the Albanian government of backing foreign investors such as the Kushner family. Their banners often read: “Albania is not for sale.”

10,000 rooms in a nature reserve

Kushner and his wife Ivanka Trump are involved in the construction project. The Trump family has invested heavily in luxury projects around the world. The construction project is expected to be gigantic; one of Kushner’s companies plans to invest 1.4 billion euros. The large-scale project will include hotels and private villas, a marina, restaurants and entertainment facilities. A total of 10,000 guest rooms are planned. The protest began after construction fences secured with barbed wire and excavators suddenly appeared on a beach in Zvërnec.

Escalation in front of parliament

On Thursday, many demonstrators gathered in front of parliament for the second time this week to block members of parliament from entering the building. Police used tear gas and water cannons. Demonstrators threw eggs, stones and other objects and tried to break through the police cordon. Police reported that 15 officers were injured and 25 demonstrators were arrested. Nineteen demonstrators remain in custody.

Human rights activists are calling for an investigation.

The Albanian Helsinki Committee (AHC), a human rights organization, expressed concern on Saturday over the escalation of the situation at the protests. The AHC said that acts of violence by individuals cannot justify the disproportionate use of force by the police. Human rights activists explained that police used tear gas without warning and beat people lying on the ground.

“This is unacceptable and requires an immediate, independent and effective investigation.”