In response to the uproar caused by the luxury tourist resort development plan by Jared Kushner in Albania , the country’s prime minister, Edi Rama, responded by arguing that this is a politically charged campaign that has been inflated by critics of US President Donald Trump. Specifically, in his interview with Politico, Rama defended the project, insisting that it does not threaten the flamingos and other species in the area, while maintaining that the protests are much smaller in scale than they are being portrayed.
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Albania: Backlash over development plan in protected area
It should be noted that in recent days, citizens and environmental organizations held demonstrations against the plans of Donald Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, to develop a luxury resort on the pristine island of Sazan and the coastal area of Zvërnec, near Vlorë.
The movement has been characterized by civil society organizations and international media as the “flamingo revolution,” as the area constitutes an important habitat for the characteristic pink birds. A protest gathering, with banners, characteristic flamingos and slogans, was also held on Saturday in Syntagma Square by Albanians living in Greece, following a call from the Albanian Migrants Initiative.
Rama, however, defended his strategy of attracting foreign investment aimed at further developing Albania’s tourism sector and rejected international criticism.
“If it wasn’t Jared, they wouldn’t care at all what happens in Albania,” the Albanian prime minister stated on the sidelines of the EU-Western Balkans Summit held in Tivat, Montenegro.
At the same time, he argued that those who hate Trump contributed to amplifying the publicity around the protests, which he characterized as a noble cause, although he rejected the criticism of this particular project.
Environmental concerns
The planned tourism complex, which is supported by investors from Qatar as well as local business figures, could include up to 10,000 hotel rooms and luxury villas.
The investment is planned to be developed in an area that previously enjoyed enhanced environmental protection status and hosts flamingos, more than 200 species of migratory birds, Mediterranean monk seals, and sea turtles that nest on the shores.
Environmental organizations warn that the project’s development will cause significant impacts on sensitive ecosystems and protected species habitats.
According to critics of the plan, amendments made in 2024 to Albania’s legislation on protected areas opened the way for tourism investments in specific locations, further strengthening a sector that has tripled in size over the past decade.
This particular project, according to the report, was not subjected to an environmental impact assessment process.
“Foreign investors bring money to Albanians”
Edi Rama again defended his government’s economic policy, arguing that foreign investors constitute a key pillar of development.
“Foreigners are the first priority, because they bring money to the country for Albanians,” he stated, noting that the country’s gross domestic product has tripled since he took office as prime minister in 2013.
He also mentioned that he has not communicated with Jared Kushner since the mobilizations began.
“He has his own issues to manage and, on the other hand, he and Ivanka have nothing to do with this whole story, which is absolutely false and fabricated,” he argued, noting that other investors are also participating in the investment, including Power Holding company from Qatar.
Allegations of antisemitism and Iran’s role
According to Politico, the public debate around the project has also been influenced by references to antisemitic slogans and social media posts, due to Kushner’s Jewish background and his role in mediating the Abraham Accords between Israel and Arab states such as Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates.
Rama argued that Iran is participating in a “hybrid campaign” of disinformation about the project. Albania has previously suffered cyberattacks attributed to Tehran, following the country’s decision to offer refuge to Iranian dissidents.
“They are part of this effort, because there is no one else interested in feeding an antisemitic narrative based on an incredible and disgusting false news story,” he stated, referring to conspiracy theories claiming that the project will be used to relocate Palestinians from Gaza to the area.
For their part, protesters and civil society organizations argue that the few antisemitic slogans or posts that have been recorded do not represent the entire movement.
“It won’t be my Mar-a-Lago”
The Albanian prime minister insisted that special attention is being paid to the project’s social and environmental impacts, while rejecting the characterization “flamingo revolution.” As he said, disinformation has created a distorted picture regarding the actual number of protesters.
Rama also revealed that none of the European leaders who participated in the Tivat Summit raised the issue during their contacts. At the same time, he appeared confident that environmental concerns will not affect the country’s European path, which seeks to join the European Union by 2030.
“They will be able to see with their own eyes the flamingos and development coexisting beautifully,” he stated. When asked whether he would host any international summit at the new resort, he replied with humor: “That won’t be my Mar-a-Lago.”
