Key facts
- Protests in Albania escalated Tuesday with clashes between demonstrators and police, resulting in six arrests.
- Demonstrators are demanding the resignation of the government and opposition, repeal of environmental laws, and the installation of a technical government.
- The protests initially focused on a luxury resort proposal linked to Jared Kushner but have broadened in scope.
- Several European MEPs visited the protests, expressing support for the movement and calling for the resort project to be halted.
- Albania's Interior Minister cited national security concerns for banning a Kosovo citizen from entering the country for 15 years.
- Prime Minister Edi Rama has accused Iran of foreign interference in the protests.
Albania's "Flamingo Revolution" saw an escalation Tuesday with clashes between protesters and police, just a day after European lawmakers visited the capital. Approximately 200 protesters gathered outside parliament, throwing eggs at lawmakers' cars and confronting police. Tensions heightened when stones and water bottles were hurled, leading to six arrests. Demonstrators are demanding the resignation of the government and opposition, the repeal of controversial investment and environmental laws they claim threaten nature, and the installation of a technical government.
MEPs Ilaria Salis, Jutta Paulus, Tineke Strik, and Anna Strolenberg had attended the protests on Sunday and Monday, expressing support for the movement and calling for the halt of a luxury resort project linked to Jared Kushner. Salis described the protests as having "profoundly European" significance and being a "remarkable example of grassroots democracy."
Following Tuesday's clashes, a crowd marched to police headquarters to demand the release of those arrested and condemn police tactics. One of those arrested, Dritan Goxhaj, who is publicly accused by the government of having ties to the Iranian regime, was released after several hours. Separately, a Kosovo citizen was banned from entering Albania for 15 years due to national security concerns. Prime Minister Edi Rama has repeatedly alleged foreign interference, particularly from Iran, in the ongoing protests.