Thousands of protesters gathered in Tirana, Albania on Saturday (June 20) demanding government change over opposition to a luxury resort development in a protected wetland area.

The demonstrations have expanded from initial opposition to the specific project into broader anti-government protests.

Protesters waved Albanian flags and flamingo cutouts, referencing the protected flamingo nesting site threatened by the planned development. The luxury resort project is backed by a company linked to Jared Kushner, son-in-law of U.S. President Donald Trump.

"Albania is not for sale. We are here to protect our country," protester Alketa Cobo said.

Another protester, Ylli Billa, called the government "the most corrupt in Europe" and said they wanted to protect Albania from corruption while remaining open to proper investment.

Drone footage showed large crowds of demonstrators carrying Albanian flags throughout the capital.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

TIRANA, ALBANIA (JUNE 20, 2026) (REUTERS - Access all)

1. VARIOUS OF PROTESTERS WAVING ALBANIAN FLAGS

2. PROTESTERS CHANTING (Albanian): "Rama in jail, Berisha in jail", LARGE BANNER READING (Albanian): “New Albania”

3. PROTESTERS CHANTING (Albanian): "Rama in jail, Berisha in jail"

4. (SOUNDBITE) (English) PROTESTER, JETMIR MUKA, SAYING:

“The country had enough, and he's got to make a move, and he's got to get out of here and let the country prosper.”

5. (SOUNDBITE) (English) PROTESTER, RIGELS XHELILI, SAYING:

“I am an Albanian citizen. I live in the United States. I came here specifically for this protest. I came here to support the youngest Albanian people, the youngest generation, because they don't have to suffer like our dads, our moms, our grandpas, everybody else suffered before. So we are here to show to these motherfuckers right here that we don't care about them. We don't care about them. We are the owners of this country because we vote for them and they have to work for us, not for themselves.”

6. VARIOUS OF PROTESTERS HOLDING ALBANIAN FLAGS AND FLAMINGO CUTOUTS

7. (SOUNDBITE) (English) PROTESTER, YLLI BILLA, SAYING:

“We are here to protect Albania from the corrupt, the most corrupt government in Europe. Not only Europe, but all over the world. Albania is the biggest, the nicest country in the Balkans. They want to get it. They sold it. They sold it to, I don't know to who. We are pro-investments, but we are not for the corrupt government. This is the most corrupt government in Europe.”

8. (MUTE) DRONE VIEW OF PROTESTERS WITH ALBANIAN FLAGS

9. (SOUNDBITE) (Albanian) PROTESTER, ALKETA COBO, SAYING:

“Albania is not for sale. We are here to protect our country. We want to build our future here. Albania is a place from God. We have everything, we have rivers, beaches, mountains, everything (where) we can be. We are not poor, we are just stolen, that's why we are here. We want to build our future here. I want to raise my kids here.”

10. PROTESTER GOLDING SIGN READING (English): “Change is now”

11. VARIOUS OF PROTESTERS THROWING RED BALLOONS

12. (MUTE) VARIOUS DRONE VIEWS OF PROTESTERS WAVING ALBANIAN FLAGS