Thousands of Albanians rallied in the capital’s largest demonstration yet against a controversial multi-billion-dollar luxury resort development linked to Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump, as environmental concerns and political fallout continue to mount.

Protesters, many carrying inflatable pink flamingos, marched for more than half a mile down a major boulevard outside Prime Minister Edi Rama’s office on Wednesday. The demonstrations — dubbed the “Flamingo Revolution” — highlight opposition to the planned resorts on the uninhabited Sazan Island and the ecologically sensitive coastal area near Zvërnec in the Narta Lagoon/Vjosa-Narta protected zone.

Kushner’s private equity firm, Affinity Partners, along with Ivanka Trump, is involved in negotiations for two major projects: a roughly $1.4–1.6 billion development on Sazan Island (a former communist-era military base) and a larger $4.7 billion coastal resort. The combined investment could exceed $6 billion.

Environmental and Political BacklashThe sites are home to diverse wildlife, including flamingos, Mediterranean monk seals, sea turtles, and other protected species. Critics argue the developments threaten these habitats and violate protections for sensitive wetlands and coastal ecosystems. Videos of private security forcibly removing protesters earlier in the campaign went viral, further fueling public anger.

The protests, which began in spring 2026 near the construction sites and have now entered their third week, have broadened beyond environmental issues. Demonstrators are also calling for Prime Minister Edi Rama’s resignation, accusing his government of prioritizing foreign investment over public interest and national sovereignty with slogans such as “Albania is not for sale.”

The controversy now poses a direct challenge to Albania’s ambitions to join the European Union. The European Commission has issued a strong warning, urging Tirana to “act without delay” and refrain from actions that could undermine compliance with EU environmental standards, particularly Chapter 27 on environment and climate change. Officials in Brussels have signaled that proceeding without proper safeguards could jeopardize Albania’s EU accession timeline, with potential membership talks aiming for completion as early as 2027 and full entry around 2030.

Prime Minister Rama has remained defiant. In a recent interview, he defended the projects as a major economic opportunity for Albania, one of Europe’s poorer countries, describing them as “beautiful” developments that would benefit the nation and contribute to Europe. He dismissed some opposition as being out of step with the mandate voters gave him.

Albanian authorities have reportedly launched anti-corruption probes into aspects of the land deals and project approvals, with some reports of temporary halts in construction activity or asset freezes amid the investigations. However, Rama has vowed to push forward, insisting comprehensive environmental reviews will be conducted.

Kushner and Ivanka Trump have said they were inspired to pursue the projects after discovering Sazan Island during a yacht trip. Ivanka Trump recently described the endeavor as a personal vision combining her real estate experience with a desire to create an ideal high-end luxury resort. The Sazan project received preliminary government approval in late 2024/early 2025, shortly after Donald Trump’s reelection.

The developments come as Kushner’s Affinity Partners has faced scrutiny for pursuing high-profile international projects involving governments during Trump’s second term. A previous Trump-branded project in Serbia fell apart amid corruption allegations.

The projects remain in early stages, with no final detailed plans submitted and openings potentially a decade away. It remains unclear whether the growing “Flamingo Revolution” and EU pressure will force meaningful changes or cancellations. (ILKHA)