Albania protests erupt over $5 bn Kushner‑backed luxury resort plan

Hundreds of thousands of Albanians have taken to the streets in what is being called the “Flamingo Revolution”, demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama. The protests were sparked by a multi‑billion‑dollar luxury resort project on Sazan Island and the protected Vjosa‑Narta coastal zone, backed by Affinity Partners, an investment firm led by Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump. Demonstrators accuse the government of opaque land‑title transfers, corruption, high taxes and cronyism, and warn that the development would destroy habitats for seals, sea turtles and migratory birds, including flamingos.

The movement has broadened to include grievances over low pensions, unemployment and a perceived brain‑drain of youth. Opposition MP Marjana Koçeku defected from the ruling Socialist Party to join the protests. International solidarity rallies have been held in cities such as New York, London and Berlin. Prime Minister Rama responded with vulgar remarks and denied allegations of money‑laundering in the Albanian economy.