Thousands of demonstrators gathered in central Tirana on Saturday evening for the 35th protest organized under the banner of the so-called "Flamingo Revolution," with organizers saying the rally was joined by dozens of Albanians returning from across Europe.

Protesters marched along the capital's main boulevard, calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama and demanding what they described as a renewal of Albania's political leadership.

The demonstration coincided with Rama's 62nd birthday, prompting some protesters to bring decorated cakes bearing political messages directed at the prime minister.

One of the most striking moments of the rally came when several demonstrators carried a symbolic coffin through the crowd. The coffin displayed slogans including "Edi Rama's," "Your Time Is Over," and "Rilindja Gang," while protesters repeatedly chanted, "Rama's coffin." At the same time, speakers from the main stage led chants calling for Rama's arrest.

The "Flamingo Revolution" began as a movement opposing a proposed tourism development near the protected Zvërnec Lagoon on Albania's southern coast. In recent weeks, however, the demonstrations have expanded to include broader demands related to government transparency, corruption allegations, and political reform.

Saturday's protest also featured participants from Albania's diaspora, with organizers presenting their return to the country as a sign of growing support for the movement beyond Albania's borders.

The protest remained focused on political demands throughout the evening, with participants calling for institutional change and early political accountability. No official estimates of attendance were immediately released by authorities, and the government had not publicly responded to the demonstration by late Saturday.

The latest rally follows weeks of sustained anti-government protests that have kept political tensions high in Albania, as organizers vow to continue demonstrations until their demands are addressed.