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Albania PM Rama: Protests a stage for anti-Trump forces
DW.com • • world
Key Points:
- Thousands of Albanians have been protesting daily for over a month, demanding Prime Minister Edi Rama's resignation due to accusations of cronyism, corruption, and prioritizing government power over citizens' interests.
- The protests, dubbed the "flamingo revolution," were sparked by plans to build luxury resorts in the Vjose-Narta area, a protected Adriatic coastline home to rare wildlife, with investors including Jared Kushner's company.
- Rama defends the development projects as essential for Albania's economic growth and tourism sector, rejecting claims of privatizing public spaces and emphasizing the need for foreign direct investment.
- Environmental activists and the European Commission have criticized recent legal amendments allowing construction in protected areas, warning they undermine conservation efforts, though Rama insists the changes comply with European standards.
- Rama acknowledges the protesters' right to voice concerns but suggests some international criticism is influenced by opposition to US President Donald Trump, whose son-in-law is involved in the investment projects.
