Albania Protests Enter 7th Day Over $1 Billion Kushner-Linked Resort
Updated
Updated · CBS New York · Jun 6
Albania Protests Enter 7th Day Over $1 Billion Kushner-Linked Resort
3 articles · Updated · CBS New York · Jun 6
Summary
Thousands rallied in Tirana for a seventh straight day against a $1 billion resort tied to Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump, with activists branding the movement the "Flamingo Revolution."
Bulldozers and excavators that moved onto the site last month triggered the surge in anger, and protesters say the government never held public consultations or published the project's permit.
CBS News found little heavy equipment left near the Zvërnec coast on Saturday, but environmentalists said planning work had already damaged dunes and destroyed at least one sea turtle nest.
SPAK, Albania's anti-corruption prosecutors, opened an investigation this week as Prime Minister Edi Rama insisted the project would proceed and cast it as a major economic opportunity.
Investors say the development would bring jobs and responsible stewardship, while opponents argue the Sazan Island and Vjosa-Narta protected areas risk lasting harm to flamingo and other wildlife habitats.
Can a youth-led 'Flamingo Revolution' halt a multi-billion dollar resort on a protected Albanian island?
With a corruption probe underway, will the luxury resort become Albania's economic miracle or its biggest environmental scandal?
Albania’s UNESCO Wetlands Under Threat: Protests Erupt Over Kushner-Backed Luxury Resort and Environmental Risks
Overview
Albania is facing its seventh straight day of large protests as citizens rally against a proposed luxury resort project at a UNESCO-recognized site. The demonstrations, known as the 'Flamingo Revolution,' reflect deep concerns about environmental preservation and national sovereignty. Protestors argue that building on this protected area threatens unique wildlife, including flamingos, and would destroy natural heritage. The government, however, insists the project is vital for economic growth and EU ambitions, dismissing protestors' fears. This clash highlights a growing divide between development goals and the public’s demand to protect Albania’s environment and identity.