Albania has been gripped by four weeks of protests that began over controversial plans to build a luxury resort backed by Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of US President Donald Trump, and have since evolved into a broader movement demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama.

What started as a local protest has grown into a nationwide movement dubbed the ‘Flamingo Revolution’ after the wading birds that inhabit the Vjosa-Narta wetland, part of the area affected by the proposed development.

Members of the Albanian diaspora abroad have returned to join the demonstrations, according to local media and the Financial Times.

Two members of the European Parliament, Germany’s Jutta Paulus and Italy’s Leoluca Orlando, also joined rallies this week. Paulus said on social media she would “bring the [protesters’] concerns to Brussels.” Albania became an EU candidate in 2014 and formally opened accession negotiations in 2022.

RT correspondent Yasin Eken attended Saturday’s demonstration in Tirana and spoke to protesters.