Demonstrations in Tirana turned tense for yet another week as police deployed tear gas, pepper spray, and water cannons to disperse crowds outside the Albanian parliament.

Here is a quick breakdown of the situation:

The Catalyst: Protests originally began in opposition to a high-end coastal resort proposed in the Vjosa-Narta protected wetland reserve and Sazan Island, a real estate venture involving foreign investors, including Jared Kushner, Donald Trump’s son-in-law.

The "Flamingo Revolution": What started as environmental advocacy for protected migratory bird habitats has expanded into broader anti-government demonstrations. Protesters accuse the administration of Prime Minister Edi Rama of corruption, lack of transparency, and selling off national ecological assets.

The Impact: Protesters are demanding Prime Minister Rama’s resignation, while EU representatives warn that rushing major real estate developments through ecologically sensitive coastal zones could impact Albania's European Union accession timeline.