Wikipedia

2026 Zvërnec protests

The 2026 Zvërnec protests, also known as the Flamingo Revolution,[8][9] are an ongoing series of demonstrations that began in May 2026 in the villages of Zvërnec and Nartë in Vlorë County, Albania, before expanding to the capital city of Tirana. The protests were organized by local residents, environmental activists, and civil society organizations in opposition to a proposed multi-billion dollar luxury tourism development project in the Portonovo area and nearby Sazan Island.[10][11] The project has been linked to Affinity Partners, the investment firm led by American investor Jared Kushner, and to Kushner's wife, Ivanka Trump.[12][13] Protesters have cited significant environmental concerns regarding protected ecosystems, corruption allegations, disputed land ownership claims, and a perceived lack of transparency in planning and permitting procedures.[14][15] As of the following days, the protest has scaled up turing into anti-government and demanding the resignation of the incumbent prime minister Edi Rama along with opposition leader Sali Berisha as protesters chant "Rama in jail, Berisha in jail". A few protesters also took anti-Israeli stances, claiming that the takeover was part of an "Israeli agenda" to take over Zvërnec, which various sources characterized as misinformation or conspiracy theories,[16][9] whilst others validated.[17] Shqiptarja.com stated that some elements within the protests were openly antisemitic.[18]

2026 Zvërnec protests
Flamingo Revolution
Part of Southeast Europe protests (2024–present) and Gen Z protests
DateMay 2026 – present
Location
Tirana, Durrës, Vlorë, Elbasan, Fier, Kukës, Korçë, Nartë, Zvërnec (Albania)

40°30′55″N 19°25′01″E / 40.51528°N 19.41694°E / 40.51528; 19.41694
Caused by
Goals
  • Cancellation or review of the resort contracts
  • Review of planning, environmental, and property procedures
  • Resignation of the Rama IV Government
Methods
StatusOngoing
  • Licences of 2 private security companies revoked
  • SPAK investigation opened
Parties

Grassroots movements:

Supported by:

Government of Albania:

Associated project entities:

Supported by:
Lead figures

Decentralised leadership

Casualties
Arrested15 protesters subject to criminal proceedings; 3 people arrested in connection with violence against a protester

The demonstrations received international attention following physical confrontations between protesters and private security personnel at the Zvërnec project site on 30 May 2026,[10] after which protests expanded to Tirana and continued for several consecutive days.[19][12][20][21]

The protests were also dominated by individuals that were part of Albania's Generation Z, which dominated the protests' aesthetics, language, and organization. For this reason the protest was defined by some sources as a Gen Z revolution.[22][23]

The motto Shqipëria Shqiptarëve, Vdekje Tradhtarëve ("Albania for the Albanians, Death to the Traitors") was used by Balli Kombëtar, an Albanian nationalist and anti-communist resistance movement active during World War II.

Background

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The protests followed the announcement of plans for a tourism development project in the Portonovo area by the company Zvërnec South Adriatic Development.[24]

According to reports published by Albanian media, the proposed development would cover approximately 2.6 million square metres and involve tourism-related infrastructure in the coastal area near Zvërnec and Nartë, as well as nearby Sazan Island.[25] Reuters reported that the wider Kushner-linked development included an island project and an undeveloped coastal stretch near the Vjosa–Narta protected landscape, an area associated with flamingos, seals and sea turtle nesting sites.[11] The Associated Press described the project as having two components: a coastal development in the Narta Lagoon area and a smaller resort on Sazan Island, a former military base.[21]

Reports also emphasized the scale of the proposed development. Reuters reported that opponents described the project as a new coastal development with up to 10,000 rooms near the protected Vjosa–Narta wetlands.[11] Reporter.al similarly reported that initial plans for the Zvërnec development envisaged about 10,000 accommodation units along the strip of land separating the Narta Lagoon from the sea.[26]

In May 2026, Reporter.al, the Albanian outlet of the Balkan Investigative Reporting Network, reported that Zvërnec South Adriatic Development was established in August 2024 and was owned through Dutch Trust Management B.V. and a chain of shell companies, while its ultimate beneficial owners had not been publicly disclosed. The outlet also reported that the company had secured two development permits from the National Territorial Council for tourist resorts in Zvërnec, although the permits had not been officially published, and that later preparatory fencing and access-road works were carried out after company representatives presented inspectors with an AZHT document that Reporter.al said was still awaiting formal approval and signatures.[26][27]

The project became the subject of public debate. Opponents, including local residents and environmental organizations, expressed concerns regarding the potential environmental impact of the development and raised questions concerning land ownership within the project area.[10] Representatives of the project stated that the development was being pursued in accordance with Albanian law and applicable planning procedures.[24]

Protests

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May 2026

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23 May 2026: Local residents and environmental activists gathered near the Narta Lagoon to protest the barbed-wire fencing of Pishë Poro beach, part of the protected Vjosa–Narta landscape. According to Reporter.al, protesters carried banners defending the natural environment and opposing what they described as the seizure of local property by business interests linked to the government.[26]

30 May 2026: Demonstrators gathered near the project site in Portonovo. During the protest, confrontations occurred between protesters and private security personnel present at the site.[28] Videos and photographs published by Albanian activists and journalists showed physical altercations and the use of pepper spray during the incident. According to local reporting, pepper spray also affected police officers and Lëvizja Bashkë's activist and journalist Loreta Koleci.[10][28] Following the events, Albanian authorities announced investigations into the conduct of individuals involved.[29]

The Albanian Helsinki Committee later stated that, according to its monitoring, the protest had begun peacefully and escalated after a local resident participating in the demonstration was forcibly dragged inside the fenced construction area by civilians who were not part of the contracted Myrto private-security structure. The committee called for a full investigation into the use of force by unauthorised persons and into reports that pepper spray had affected both protesters and police officers.[30]

June 2026

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1 June 2026: Protests expanded to Tirana. Euronews reported that people took to the streets of the Albanian capital against the resort project, while protesters chanted "Albania belongs to Albanians" and carried placards reading "Hands off Vjosa-Narta".[19]

2 June 2026: Demonstrations continued in Tirana, where thousands of demonstrators gathered in Skanderbeg Square before marching towards the prime minister's office. Under the slogan "Albania is not for sale," protesters carried banners criticizing the involvement of Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump, demanding the immediate cancellation of the development contracts due to a perceived lack of transparency.[12][20] Organized groups refused a subsequent offer by Prime Minister Edi Rama to meet with a 20-person delegation, choosing instead to sustain ongoing public demonstrations.[12]

3 June 2026: Demonstrations continued in Tirana. The Associated Press reported that the protest turned violent after demonstrators broke through a police cordon and police used water cannon to disperse the crowd.[21] The protesters were attempting to reach both Mother Teresa Square and Arena Kombëtare, where a match between Albania and Israel was about to start.[31] Reuters photographs from the same day showed demonstrators clashing with police during a protest against the planned resort.[11] Protesters also carried flamingo cutouts and inflatable flamingos, referencing the wildlife of the Vjosa–Narta wetlands.[21] Protests also occurred outside of the Democratic Party of Albania's headquarter, criticizing their position on the matter and Sali Berisha's.[32]

4 June 2026: Protesters again gathered outside Edi Rama's office in Tirana. Reuters reported that demonstrators again held pink inflatable flamingos and chanted "revolution" and "stop the project", while one placard called for Rama's resignation.[33][34]

International protests

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Solidarity rallies and protest calls were announced among Albanian diaspora communities in Europe and North America. According to BalkanWeb, rallies were planned for 5 June 2026 in Berlin, Munich and Stockholm, followed by planned gatherings on 6 June in Milan, Florence, London, New York and Toronto. Further rallies were announced for Brussels and Bologna on 7 June, Skopje on 8 June, and another New York rally on 15 June.[35]

Symbols

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Flamingos became the main symbol of the protests, which were described by several media outlets as the "Flamingo Revolution".[8][9] The symbol refers to the wildlife of the Vjosa–Narta wetland ecosystem, where flamingos are among the species associated with the protected area.[11][21] During demonstrations, protesters carried flamingo cutouts and inflatable flamingos.[21][33]

Some protest imagery replaced the eagle on the flag of Albania with flamingos and changed the red background to blue, a reference to the sea and wetland ecosystem.[36] BalkanWeb described the flamingo as a civic protest symbol that was not directly associated with an existing Albanian political party.[37]

The Straw Hats' Jolly Roger flag from One Piece was also reported to have appeared at the protests.[23] The flag has been used in other youth-led protest movements internationally as a symbol of resistance to authority.[38]

Reactions

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Albanian State Police and Judiciary

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Following the 30 May incident, the Albanian State Police announced investigations into events at the protest site. The General Directorate of State Police subsequently suspended the Director of Police of Vlorë, stating that information initially released regarding the incident had been inaccurate.[10]

Police authorities also announced criminal proceedings against 15 protesters, while two private security employees were placed under investigation.[10] On 1 June 2026, State Police revoked the licences of the private security companies Myrto Security 1.3A and Major Security, citing violations connected to violence during the Zvërnec protest.[39] On 3 June 2026, BalkanWeb reported that two additional people had been arrested in connection with the dragging of a protester during the 30 May incident. According to the report, police stated that the two did not appear as registered private security guards.[40]

On 2 June 2026, Albania's Special Anti-Corruption Structure (SPAK) announced that it had officially opened a preliminary corruption investigation into how the coastal land titles within the development zone were processed and transferred to private entities.[41][42] The Guardian later reported that SPAK had launched an inquiry into controversial legislative changes adopted in 2024 regarding protected areas.[14]

Government and developers

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Prime Minister Edi Rama stated that the land included in the project had been legally acquired by private owners and rejected allegations regarding the unlawful transfer of public property.[43]

On 2 June 2026, Rama rejected demands to cancel the project. SeeNews reported that he said there was "no chance" the investment would stop while he remained in office, describing it as a major foreign investment intended to support Albania's tourism development.[44] The Associated Press also quoted Rama as saying that Albania should not fear a project involving partners investing 4 billion euros.[21]

Three days later, Rama further stated that the protests were being orchestrated by the enemies of "Albania and Israel", specifically citing Iran.[45] When asked by a journalist, during an interview regarding the protests, if he kneeled "a little too much to Western leaders", specifically Donald Trump, Rama responded that he only kneeled before Giorgia Meloni.[46]

In a public statement, the developer stated that the project was being carried out in accordance with Albanian law and applicable planning procedures.[24] Reuters quoted Asher Abehsera, chairman of Sazan Real Estate Development LLC, as saying that the developers' focus remained on "responsible stewardship, environmental enhancement, job creation, and creating long-term value for local communities".[11]

Environmental organizations

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Environmental organizations opposed the project on the grounds that it threatened the Vjosa–Narta wetland ecosystem and protected coastal habitats. Reuters reported that PPNEA-BirdLife Albania called for construction to halt and heavy machinery to be removed from the protected area.[11] The Guardian quoted PPNEA executive director Aleksandër Trajçe as saying that the project had lacked transparency, public consultation and public documentation regarding permits, and that talks could begin only if bulldozers and fencing were removed and habitats restored.[14]

International response

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The delegation of the European Union in Albania requested information from Albanian authorities regarding developments in the area. Representatives of the delegation emphasized the importance of environmental protection and conservation standards within Albania's European Union accession process.[25]

On 31 May 2026, the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed concern over the events in Zvërnec, stating that a Greek citizen had been injured during a protest concerning residents' property rights. The ministry said that the Greek Embassy in Tirana had requested full clarification of the incident and accountability from Albanian authorities, and emphasized the importance of rule of law, minority property rights and environmental protection in the context of Albania's alignment with the European acquis.[47]

In Italy, the Greens and Left Alliance, specifically Angelo Bonelli, condemned Edi Rama, stating that he was selling out his country's alleged natural patrimony to foreign investors and stating his solidarity with the protests.[48]

See also

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References

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  1. ↑ "Albania's flamingo protests: When a government sells off a wetland, it's selling off democracy too". BirdLife International. 4 June 2026. Retrieved 5 June 2026.
  2. ↑ "Përplasje në Zvërnec, aktivistët e mjedisit dhe Lëvizja Bashkë kundër ndërtimeve në Dalan" [Clashes in Zvërnec, environmental activists and Lëvizja Bashkë against construction in Dalan]. VNA (in Albanian). Retrieved 5 June 2026.
  3. ↑ "Zvërneci, përplasje për protagonizëm në protestë? Lapaj i merr "stafetën" Qorrit" [Zvërnec, clash for protest leadership? Lapaj takes the baton from Qori]. Java News (in Albanian). Retrieved 5 June 2026.
  4. ↑ "Shehaj pranon përfshirjen e Mundësisë në protestat për Zvërnecin: Kemi qenë nga Thethi deri në Nartë" [Shehaj admits the involvement of the Opportunity Party in the protests over Zvërnec: We have been from Theth to Nartë]. VNA (in Albanian). Retrieved 5 June 2026.
  5. ↑ "Economic development is important, but it must never come at the expense of our shared biodiversity". Instagram. Retrieved 5 June 2026.
  6. ↑ "Protesta të konfirmuara ne Shqipëri dhe të gjithë botën!" [Confirmed protests in Albania and around the world!]. Instagram (in Albanian). Retrieved 5 June 2026.
  7. ↑ "Berisha Voices Support for Kushner's Zvërnec Project, Backs Foreign Investment in Albania". Albanian Daily News. 3 June 2026. Retrieved 4 June 2026.
  8. 1 2 "Press Review - Albania's 'flamingo revolution' against Jared-Kushner-backed luxury resort". France 24. 4 June 2026. Retrieved 4 June 2026.
  9. 1 2 3 "Albania's growing 'flamingo revolution' targets Jared Kushner resort". Politico. 3 June 2026. Retrieved 4 June 2026.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Karaj, Vladimir (30 May 2026). ""Në spital pështynte gjak": Përplasje në Zvërnec gjatë protestës kundër resortit në zonë të mbrojtur" ["He was spitting blood in hospital": Clashes in Zvërnec during protest against resort in protected area]. Reporter.al (in Albanian). Retrieved 31 May 2026.
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Albanians protest over Kushner-linked luxury resort on pristine coastline". Reuters. 3 June 2026. Retrieved 4 June 2026.
  12. 1 2 3 4 Nierenberg, Amelia (2 June 2026). "Protests in Albania Target Luxury Hotel Project Linked to Jared Kushner". The New York Times. Retrieved 3 June 2026.
  13. ↑ Protest in Albania against work on luxury development linked to Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner. Associated Press. 2 June 2026. Retrieved 3 June 2026.
  14. 1 2 3 Smith, Helena (4 June 2026). "Protests in Albania grow over Jared Kushner-backed luxury resort". The Guardian. Retrieved 4 June 2026.
  15. ↑ Nierenberg, Amelia (2 June 2026). "Protests Grow in Albania Over Kushner-Linked Project". The New York Times. Retrieved 4 June 2026.
  16. ↑ ""Israel is taking Zvërnec" – The manipulation that infected the protest in front of the Prime Minister's Office". Vox News. Retrieved 4 June 2026.
  17. ↑ Cavalli, Giulio (3 June 2026). "Albania, monta la protesta contro il resort di Kushner" [Albania, protest grows against Kushner's resort]. La Notizia (in Italian). Retrieved 4 June 2026.
  18. ↑ Zaloshnja, Eduard. "Eduard Zaloshnja: Goxha më shumë se në protestat e Berishës, por..." [Eduard Zaloshnja: Quite a lot more than in Berisha's protests, but...]. Shqiptarja.com (in Albanian). Retrieved 5 June 2026.
  19. 1 2 Flori, Anna (2 June 2026). "Protests against luxury resort in Albania linked to Jared Kushner now in second day". Euronews. Retrieved 4 June 2026.
  20. 1 2 Albanians protest Kushner plan for Sazan Island luxury resort. Al Jazeera. 2 June 2026. Retrieved 3 June 2026.
  21. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Cimili, Zana (4 June 2026). "What to know about the growing opposition to Trump family-linked resort in Albania". Associated Press. Retrieved 4 June 2026.
  22. ↑ "Protesta e brezit Gen Z" [The Gen Z generation protest]. Faktoje.al (in Albanian). 3 June 2026. Retrieved 5 June 2026.
  23. 1 2 "Çfarë është flamuri i zi që u shfaq në protestë? Simbolika dhe përdorimi nga "Gen Z" kundër autoritarizmit" [What is the black flag that appeared at the protest? Its symbolism and use by Gen Z against authoritarianism]. TPZ.al (in Albanian). Retrieved 5 June 2026.
  24. 1 2 3 "Kompania e projektit në Zvërnec reagon pas protestave: Investim mbi 4 miliardë euro, do hapen 10 mijë vende pune! Trualli është pronësi private" [The company behind the Zvërnec project reacts after protests: Investment of over 4 billion euros, 10,000 jobs to be created; the land is private property]. Panorama (in Albanian). 31 May 2026. Retrieved 31 May 2026.
  25. 1 2 "Debati për Zvërnecin, 2.6 milionë m² ndërtim pa leje mjedisore, Rama: S'po falim gjë, është pronë private" [The debate over Zvërnec: 2.6 million m² of construction without an environmental permit; Rama: We are not giving anything away, it is private property]. Faktoje.al (in Albanian). 29 May 2026. Retrieved 31 May 2026.
  26. 1 2 3 Karaj, Vladimir (29 May 2026). "The Investors Behind the Trump Family's Albanian Resort". Reporter.al. Retrieved 4 June 2026.
  27. ↑ Karaj, Vladimir (7 May 2026). "Jared Kushner's Luxury Resort in Albania Launched Amid Controversy". Reporter.al. Retrieved 4 June 2026.
  28. 1 2 "Një i arrestuar/ Kush janë rojet e "Major Security" që dhunuan protestuesit në Zvërnec, hetim zinxhirit drejtues të policisë" [One arrested: Who are the Major Security guards who assaulted protesters in Zvërnec; investigation into the police chain of command]. Boldnews.al (in Albanian). 31 May 2026. Retrieved 31 May 2026.
  29. ↑ "State Police launches investigation into Vlora Police chain of command". Hashtag.al. 31 May 2026. Retrieved 4 June 2026.
  30. ↑ ""Truproja tërhoqi zvarrë protestuesin, por kompania nuk kishte kontratë me investitorët", "Helsinki" për protestën në Zvërnec: Policia e prokuroria të hetojnë!" ["The bodyguard dragged the protester, but the company had no contract with the investors"; Helsinki on the Zvërnec protest: Police and prosecutors should investigate]. BalkanWeb (in Albanian). 2 June 2026. Retrieved 4 June 2026.
  31. ↑ "Protesters Clash with Police in Tirana over Zvernec Project". Albanian Daily News. Retrieved 4 June 2026.
  32. ↑ "Video/ "Opozitë e shitur", protestuesit ndalen para selisë së PD: Se Berisha ka mbaruar, ka mbaruar…" [Video: "Sold opposition", protesters stop in front of the DP headquarters: Berisha is finished]. Top Channel (in Albanian). Retrieved 4 June 2026.
  33. 1 2 "'Albania is not for sale', protesters say over Kushner-linked luxury resort near a protected wetland". Reuters. 5 June 2026. Retrieved 5 June 2026.
  34. ↑ Thousands protest in Albania over Kushner-linked resort project. Al Jazeera. 5 June 2026. Retrieved 5 June 2026.
  35. ↑ "Protests in Albania, Europe and the USA/ Revolt erupts over Zvërnec and Sazani, here is the list of announced rallies". BalkanWeb. 3 June 2026. Retrieved 5 June 2026.
  36. ↑ ""In the name of protest"/ Mocking the Albanian flag, anarchists replace it with a flamingo". CNA. 4 June 2026. Retrieved 4 June 2026.
  37. ↑ "From roses to flamingos: Is the first symbol of an Albanian civic revolt emerging?". BalkanWeb. Retrieved 4 June 2026.
  38. ↑ "'A symbol of liberation': how the One Piece manga flag became the symbol of Asia's Gen Z protest movement". The Guardian. 24 September 2025. Retrieved 5 June 2026.
  39. ↑ "Clashes with residents at the Zvërnec protest, "Myrto Security 1.3A" and "Major Security" licenses revoked". BalkanWeb. 1 June 2026. Retrieved 4 June 2026.
  40. ↑ ""Nuk figurojnë si roje të sigurisë private"/ Pas dhunuesit Gerald Biba, arrestohen edhe 2 personat që tërhoqën zvarrë protestuesin në Zvërnec". BalkanWeb (in Albanian). 3 June 2026. Retrieved 4 June 2026.
  41. ↑ Singman, Brooke (2 June 2026). "Jared Kushner's overseas luxury resort project faces anti-corruption investigation amid violent protests". Fox News. Retrieved 3 June 2026.
  42. ↑ Weizman, Jakob (2 June 2026). "Albanian authorities probe seaside resort project linked to Jared Kushner". Politico Europe. Retrieved 3 June 2026.
  43. ↑ "Zvernec Investment, on Private Property; PM". Albanian Daily News. 30 May 2026. Retrieved 31 May 2026.
  44. ↑ Hodo, Genta (2 June 2026). "'No chance' to cancel Kushner's resort project in Albania - PM". SeeNews. Retrieved 4 June 2026.
  45. ↑ "Rama to Euronews: Protests over Zvërnec are a "hybrid war", being used by the enemies of Albania and Israel". Vox News. Retrieved 5 June 2026.
  46. ↑ ""We kneel to Meloni, not Trump"/ Thousands of Albanians have been demanding his resignation for 6 days, Rama in Vlora: Protests? We are a democratic country (VIDEO)". BalkanWeb. Retrieved 5 June 2026.
  47. ↑ "Announcement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the incidents that occurred in Albania (31.05.2026)". Hellenic Republic Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 31 May 2026. Retrieved 4 June 2026.
  48. ↑ "AVS - ALLEANZA VERDI SINISTRA: «ALBANIA, BONELLI: "RAMA VENDE SPIAGGE E ISOLE AL GENERO DI TRUMP E FA CARICARE I MANIFESTANTI"»" [Greens and Left Alliance: Albania, Bonelli: Rama sells beaches and islands to Trump's son-in-law and has protesters charged]. Agenzia giornalistica Opinione (in Italian). 1 June 2026. Retrieved 4 June 2026.
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