TIRANA — Albanian police clashed with protesters in Tirana on Thursday, July 2, 2026, using tear gas, pepper spray, and a water cannon. Several hundred protesters had gathered outside the Albanian parliament, where some hurled rocks and vandalized a police car during ongoing anti-government demonstrations.

During the confrontation, some protesters threw rocks, eggs, and plastic bottles at law enforcement. Protesters also used part of a metal barrier to break the windows of a police car. Police dispersed the crowd using a water cannon, tear gas, and pepper spray. Interior Minister Besfort Lamallari reported that three police officers were injured.

The protests in Tirana are part of daily demonstrations referred to as the "flamingo revolution," which began more than a month prior. Protesters have chanted "Rama has to go to jail," demanding the resignation of Socialist Prime Minister Edi Rama. Agustela Thoma, one of the protesters, stated, "The protesters want their voice to be heard inside (the parliament), as the prime minister for so many days has not heard them and has ignored them." Thoma added, "But enough is enough."

The demonstrations were initially triggered by plans for a luxury coastal development project linked to Jared Kushner, son-in-law of U.S. President Donald Trump. This proposed resort on the Adriatic coast, which spans an abandoned island and a nearby stretch of seafront, has raised environmental concerns. Flamingos are a protected migratory bird species, and their habitats could be affected by the development at Narta Lagoon.

The protests have since expanded to include general political opposition to the government and Prime Minister Rama. Protesters have carried cardboard cut-outs of flamingos in recent weeks. The government maintains that the development would be transformational for Albania, assisting its entry into the high-end tourism market and supporting its goal of European Union membership.

Interior Minister Lamallari condemned the actions taken by some protesters. "I strongly condemn the acts of vandalism and criminal violence against State Police officers," he stated. Lamallari also said, "Police officers are public servants, citizens of the Republic, and family members just like everyone else."

Why It Matters

These clashes in Albania represent an escalation in civil unrest stemming from an environmental dispute that has broadened into widespread anti-government sentiment. The daily protests, dubbed the "flamingo revolution," show concerns over government development policies and calls for political change, as evidenced by demands for the prime minister's resignation.

The government's pursuit of a luxury coastal development, despite environmental impact concerns regarding protected bird species, indicates a focus on economic growth and European Union integration. The involvement of Jared Kushner links the local Albanian project to international figures. The use of force by police and the injury of officers mark a turn in these ongoing demonstrations.