Albania: Protests Against Ivanka Trump–Jared Kushner Resort Project Enter 13th Day

Protests against multi-billion-dollar luxury resort projects linked to Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared Kushner have spread nationwide across Albania, entering their 13th day. Thousands have taken to the streets in Tirana and coastal areas under the slogans “Albania Is Not For Sale” and the “Flamingo Revolution.”
The protests are centered on the protected coastal areas of Sazan Island and Vjosa-Narta on the Adriatic coast, where an investment group linked to Kushner plans to build billion-dollar luxury resorts. Critics say these areas are critical habitats for flamingos, Dalmatian pelicans, the rare Mediterranean monk seal, and over 200 bird species.
Protesters accuse the government of weakening protections for protected areas through Law 21/2024 to benefit private investors, and claim land was privatized without consulting local communities. Activists say the movement has grown beyond an environmental issue into a broader public reaction against government corruption and lack of transparency.
Prime Minister Edi Rama remains firm, saying the projects are vital for the economy, tourism, and jobs, and will proceed according to European standards. He has labeled some online campaigns part of an “Iranian hybrid war,” a claim Iran has denied. The EU has warned that failure to uphold environmental and transparency standards could harm Albania’s bid for EU membership.