TIRANA, July 16 (BV) – Protesters marched through the Albanian capital for a 47th consecutive day on Thursday, chanting against Prime Minister Edi Rama, parliament and the country’s established political leadership.
Demonstrators initially gathered in Skanderbeg Square before moving along the main Dëshmorët e Kombit boulevard towards the prime minister’s office. They later marched through central Tirana and returned to the government headquarters, where the demonstration ended without reports of major incidents.
Protesters carried Albanian flags and banners demanding Rama’s resignation and the arrest of senior government figures. Some chanted “Rama to prison, Berisha to prison,” targeting both the prime minister and former premier Sali Berisha.
A large message reading “Rama-Balluku, SPAK YOU!” was written on the pavement outside the government building, calling on Albania’s Special Prosecution Office against Corruption and Organised Crime to investigate Rama and former deputy prime minister Belinda Balluku.
Organisers said the movement would not enter political negotiations and would continue until its demands were addressed. Protesters called for the departure of the government, changes to the political system and an end to what they described as the dominance of Albania’s traditional political class.
The demonstrations began in opposition to a planned luxury tourism development on an environmentally sensitive section of Albania’s Adriatic coast linked to a company backed by Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of U.S. President Donald Trump.
The protests later expanded into a broader anti-government and anti-corruption campaign, with demonstrators raising concerns about public contracts, environmental protection, the independence of institutions and living standards.
Previous protests have drawn tens of thousands of people and occasionally resulted in clashes with police. Officers used tear gas and water cannon during unrest earlier in July after demonstrators targeted government and parliamentary buildings.
Thursday’s gathering was smaller and largely peaceful, according to local media reports. Aerial footage showed demonstrators occupying part of the boulevard outside the prime minister’s office before beginning their march.
The government has rejected accusations that the coastal project is corrupt or environmentally destructive and says foreign investment will create jobs and support economic growth.
Rama, who has governed Albania since 2013, has dismissed parts of the protest movement as politically manipulated and has resisted calls to resign.
Protest organisers said demonstrations would resume the following day, repeating the slogan: “Tomorrow, even more.”