'Flamingo Revolution' takes off as thousands demand Albanian PM's resignation

Image source, Getty Images Image caption, While the "Flamingo Revolution" was spurred by opposition to a luxury development project, it is now a protest movement against alleged government corruption By Guy Delauney Balkans correspondent Published 54 minutes ago First they protested about flamingos, now the crowd on the streets below Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama's office has begun to chant about schools, jobs and living standards as well – and wants him to resign. The pink migratory birds became the symbol of Albania's nightly rallies because they flock to Narta Lagoon, a protected area near the coastal city of Vlora. A group of international investors – including US President Donald Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner – want to develop a luxury resort nearby, and the government has granted them "special investor" status. Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Conservationists argue that the proposed luxury resort would be detrimental to Albania's unique wildlife, not least its flamingo population There's no planning permission yet, and Rama's government says an environmental impact assessment has not even begun, but fencing and bulldozers have been seen on the site. Small-scale local protests about the potential environmental impact went national a month ago, when a video of private security guards beating up a protester spread on social media. The incident has been confirmed by the prime minister. Anger has now spread, bringing in wider concerns about the way Albania is developing – and how it is governed. "I'm here for our schools," a young protester calls Helena tells the BBC. "I'm here for our hospitals, I'm here for our infrastructure, I'm here for my family that's outside [Albania], and wanted to be here. And for all of that, I'm mostly here for myself, because I want to stay in my country, and I don't want to leave." Image source, Reuters Image caption, Edi Rama says the protests against his government are a sign of a healthy democracy Rama and his Socialist Party have now been in power for 13 years. Much has changed in Albania in that time. The skyline of the capital Tirana has been transformed, with a plethora of towers mostly designed by international architects. At the same time, the tourism industry has boomed – transforming the country's international image and accounting for more than a fifth of GDP. Perhaps most impressively of all, Albania has made significant progress towards membership of the European Union. From a standing start in 2022, it is on course to complete accession negotiations by the end of next year. Of the six countries in the Western Balkans, only Montenegro is further ahead – and it has been in talks for a decade longer. Image caption, Protestors have been calling for urgent improvements to Albania's schools, job market and living standards But that does not cut much ice with prominent protester Fatos Lubonja. The writer and human rights activist served 17 years in a forced labour camp during th