Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama Denies 'Godfather' Role Amid Protest Over Kushner Project

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama told the Financial Times that he is not the “godfather” of the country, replying to critics with a blunt “go f*** yourselves”. The comment came as weeks‑long anti‑corruption protests continue in Tirana, with demonstrators demanding his resignation and criminal prosecution.

The rallies were sparked by a €4 billion luxury tourism development on an island near a protected Adriatic flamingo sanctuary. The project is linked to former U.S. President Donald Trump’s son‑in‑law Jared Kushner and his wife Ivanka Trump. Prosecutors in a neighbouring country have issued arrest warrants for more than a dozen businessmen accused of drug trafficking and money‑laundering, including an U.S.–Albanian entrepreneur whose land sale to the venture was frozen at €128 million.

Rama defended the investment as legal, saying money‑laundering “is part of our economy but not a huge problem”, and compared it to the United Kingdom’s situation. He also claimed the protests are being fueled by political opponents of the U.S. president, citing Iran among the alleged instigators. The government says it has given prosecutors greater freedom to investigate corruption, arguing that Albania is fighting it harder than ever.