Albanian protests over Trump-linked resort trigger calls for PM resignation

Since June 2026 Albanians have staged mass demonstrations against a $4 billion luxury resort planned for Sazan Island, a protected Adriatic nature reserve. The project is backed by Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump and has been described as a "land grab" that threatens flamingo habitats and other wildlife.

Protests, dubbed the "Flamingo Revolution," have drawn tens of thousands of participants in Tirana, with slogans such as "Albania is not a Gucci bag on sale" and "Albanian is not for sale." Demonstrators are demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama, a caretaker government, and early elections.

The Albanian government has granted the development special investor status, bypassed public tenders and stripped the land of its protected status, while anti‑corruption prosecutors have opened investigations into the land purchase and the source of funding. Parallel legal battles over historic land ownership, notably Minella Balliu’s claim to the Zvernec property, add to the controversy.

International solidarity rallies have occurred across Europe, North America and Australia, highlighting the broader criticism of perceived corruption and foreign influence in Albania’s coastal development projects.