Albania Protests Enter 35th Night: Tens of Thousands Demand PM Rama's Resignation
For the 35th consecutive night, protesters gathered in Albania's capital on Saturday, July 4, 2026, demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama, the formation of an interim government, constitutional reforms, and an end to corruption.
Media images showed tens of thousands marching along Tirana's main boulevard toward Skanderbeg Square, although the number could not be independently verified.
The nightly demonstrations began over a luxury coastal resort project in a protected natural area linked to Jared Kushner, son-in-law of former U.S. President Donald Trump. The protests have since expanded into broader anti-government and anti-corruption rallies, with chants of “New Albania” and “Edi Rama, resign.”
The march carried heavy symbolism. A tall bust of Mr. Rama was erected and later toppled with a rope, echoing the February 1991 toppling of the statue of communist dictator Enver Hoxha—an event commemorated annually. Since Saturday coincided with Mr. Rama’s 62nd birthday, some protesters carried “birthday cakes” made of cement, alluding to construction projects, and sang an ironic “happy birthday” song.
Many demonstrators carried pink flamingo balloons, referencing birds allegedly threatened by the resort project. The protests have been dubbed the “pink flamingo revolution.”
After about two hours, a large group marched to a police station, demanding the release of people arrested during Thursday’s protest near parliament. Protesters broke windows at the station, and police used water cannons to disperse the crowd.
