In recent days, the streets of Tirana have once again been filled with demonstrators. But this time, the echoes of dissent have travelled far beyond the western Balkans, sparking solidarity rallies among the Albanian diaspora in European hubs like Milan and Brussels.
What began as a localised environmental movement against high-end tourism development in protected areas has rapidly transformed into a much broader, transnational conversation about governance, rule of law, and the tangible fruits of Albania’s European integration.
The catalyst for this latest wave of protests is the planned construction of luxury mega-resorts in pristine ecological zones, most notably on Sazan Island and within the Pishë Poro–Narta protected landscape — projects drawing heavy international investment, including from high-profile figures like businessman Jared Kushner.
Environmentalists and civic groups argue that these multi-million-dollar deals lack transparency and risk irreparably damaging Europe’s unique biodiversity.
However, looking at these protests solely through an ecological lens misses the bigger picture.
