‘We want a new Albania’: protests against Jared Kushner-backed resort turn anger on government
A Personal Connection to Sazan
We want a new Albania – Ina Shkurti, like countless others in Albania, has long regarded the island of Sazan as a cornerstone of her identity. As a child, she relished the island’s serene, emerald-green waters. In her teenage years, it became a symbol of hope and beauty, often appearing in her dreams. Now, as an adult, Sazan remains etched in her memory, a place that draws her back to Vlore, her hometown across the sea, each summer. What she never anticipated was that the planned development of a massive resort on Sazan—backed by Ivanka Trump and her spouse, Jared Kushner—would ignite a wave of outrage, sparking a national movement that has shaken Albania’s political landscape.
“Am I outraged? Of course I am,” Shkurti said as her boat approached the island. “Sazan is our only island. It’s a small paradise that holds a special place in the hearts and minds of Albanians. Having some rich couple come in, develop it, and then deny us access, would be a crime.”
The dispute over the resort project has become a lightning rod for public discontent, targeting not just the developers but the entire political class. For many Albanians, the idea of a foreign-backed luxury complex displacing the island’s natural charm represents a betrayal of national interests. The protests, dubbed the “flamingo revolution” by media due to their impact on local wildlife and ecosystems, have drawn widespread support, both within and outside the country. Shkurti, 32, is emblematic of this sentiment. Her family’s emigration to the US when she was 11 hasn’t dulled her connection to Sazan, which she now sees as a symbol of cultural heritage under threat.
Albania, striving to complete its EU accession talks, faces a critical moment. The government’s decision to approve the resort—part of a dual development plan along the southern coast—has been met with fierce resistance. The project, valued at €1.4bn, aims to position Albania as a top-tier tourist destination in the Mediterranean. Yet, for the public, it feels like a step away from their aspirations for a more equitable future. The backlash has grown into a broader challenge to the country’s leadership, with citizens demanding accountability and transparency.
Government and EU Tensions
Edi Rama, Albania’s prime minister, has been at the center of the controversy. Elected for a fourth term last year on a promise to integrate the nation into the EU, he has defended the investment as essential for economic growth. “You have to ask where all of this is going,” said Afrim Krasniqi, director of the Albanian Institute for Political Studies. “The government, it seems, doesn’t want to believe that all these people out on the streets are against it. This absence of dialogue, this lack of empathy, this refusal to want to find a solution, is dangerous.”
Rama’s response to the protests has been a mix of defensiveness and pragmatism. While some of his colleagues in the political sphere have expressed unease, he has remained steadfast, citing the project’s potential to boost the economy. However, the unrest has forced him to confront growing public distrust. The protests, leaderless and non-partisan, have caught officials in Tirana and EU representatives off guard. In a country with a limited history of mass demonstrations, the movement has taken on a symbolic weight, representing a shift in the nation’s political consciousness.
The protests began three weeks ago when bulldozers started clearing forested areas and ancient dunes in the Pishë Poro-Narta reserve, a protected conservation zone just across the water from Sazan. This reserve, home to one of Europe’s last wild rivers, spans the Zvërnec peninsula. Its sandy shores guard an inland lagoon that serves as a crucial migratory route for hundreds of rare bird species and over 70 endangered animals. The initial clash occurred when opponents confronted private security guards who had hastily erected a barrier to restrict public access. The confrontation escalated into chaos as demonstrators attempted to scale the fence, drawing attention to the government’s perceived inaction.
Among the most shocking moments was a video circulating online showing a local landowner being dragged by guards across rocky terrain, his hands cuffed and his body visibly trembling. Witnesses stood by in disbelief, their faces reflecting the deepening frustration. Police officers, instead of intervening, allowed the scene to unfold. The footage became a catalyst for the protests, amplifying the sense of injustice and defiance among citizens.
Protests and Political Reckoning
The protests have drawn participants from all corners of Albania, with diaspora communities playing a significant role. Every day, friends from the US and other European countries fly in to join the demonstrations, underscoring the global reach of the movement. The largest gathering so far took place in Tirana, where thousands gathered to voice their grievances. This event marked a turning point, as it demonstrated the scale of public opposition to the government’s handling of the issue.
The fury surrounding the resort project has extended beyond environmental concerns. Critics argue that the political establishment, long accused of corruption and mismanagement, has prioritized foreign investors over the needs of Albanian citizens. The protests are seen as a reckoning for a system that has allowed a small group of elites to dominate economic and political decisions for decades. “This government no longer represents us,” Shkurti said. “It has chosen to represent oligarch investors like Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner. These protests are not going to stop, even if they’re no longer exclusively about them.”
The project’s opponents, many of whom are environmentalists and local residents, have framed the conflict as a battle for the soul of Albania. They view the development as an emblem of a growing disconnect between the ruling class and the average citizen. The government’s commitment to EU accession, which requires a stable and progressive political climate, now feels under threat. With daily calls for Rama’s resignation, the leader’s response has been a blend of humor and irritation, revealing the pressure he faces.
Despite the controversy, the project remains a cornerstone of the government’s economic strategy. Supporters believe the investment will create jobs and attract tourism, boosting the nation’s profile in the region. Yet, the protests have exposed a deeper divide. For many Albanians, the idea of a Trump-Kushner resort on Sazan symbolizes the unchecked influence of foreign capital, particularly in an era where domestic politics are increasingly seen as a tool for personal gain. The conflict has taken on a national significance, with citizens demanding a more inclusive vision for their country’s future.
A Nation at a Crossroads
The protests have become a mirror reflecting Albania’s aspirations and anxieties. As the country moves toward EU membership, the debate over Sazan highlights the tension between modernization and tradition. For Shkurti and others like her, the island represents a unique cultural treasure, one that cannot be replaced by luxury hotels and infrastructure. The movement has also sparked a broader conversation about the role of the state in protecting public interests versus advancing private agendas.
As the situation evolves, the government faces a critical choice. If it fails to address the concerns of the protesters, the unrest could deepen, potentially leading to more radical actions. Krasniqi warns that the absence of meaningful dialogue may fuel further discontent, with demonstrators becoming more vocal and determined. The Pishë Poro-Narta reserve, once a symbol of natural beauty, now stands as a battleground for a country’s future.
