Albania’s Contested Luxury Resort: Kushner, Ivanka Trump, and the Flamingo Protests

Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump are promoting a multibillion-dollar luxury resort that would span the uninhabited Sazan Island and the adjacent Zvërnec coastal strip in Albania’s Adriatic region. Preliminary government approval was granted in December 2024, prompting daily protests outside Prime Minister Edi Rama’s office in Tirana and the demolition of barbed-wire fences at the construction site. Demonstrators chant “Edi Rama out!” and “Revolution,” demanding that the land remain public.

Democracy Now

In February 2024 Albania amended its protected-area legislation, allowing five-star hotels in zones previously covered by the EU’s Natura 2000 network. The same year the government awarded “strategic investor” status to a Kushner-linked firm, bypassing standard tender procedures. Land transactions recorded a price jump from €5.5 million to €122 million between May 2025 and April 2026, prompting an anti-corruption probe. The first building permit was issued on 29 April 2026, but EU officials warned that the changes could jeopardise Albania’s accession benchmark on environmental standards.

France 24

• Jared Kushner & Ivanka Trump – project promoters, describing the site as a “tangible manifestation” of their vision.

NPR

• Prime Minister Edi Rama – government champion, asserting that no Albanian land is for sale and that the development will create jobs.

Forbes

• Environmental NGOs – coalition led by the Albanian Ornithological Society, filing legal challenges based on Natura 2000 protections.

NPR

• Qatari investors – brothers Moutaz and Ramez Al-Khayyat, financing the venture through Albania Land Development and Sazan Real Estate Development.

NPR

• Investigative journalist Lindita Cela – tracing a chain of shell companies (e.g., Interroyal BV) that obscure ultimate ownership.

NPR

• Local protest leaders – software engineer Albi Batozi and landowner Zeke Nikolle Shullani, representing residents of Zvërnec and Rrjoll.

The Independent

The Vjosa-Narta lagoon and surrounding salt flats host wintering and breeding populations of flamingos, Dalmatian pelicans, loggerhead turtles, and more than 250 bird species identified by ornithologist Taulant Bino. Construction of an access road during the breeding season threatens nests, amphibians, and reptiles. Bino warns, “Birds are the first to suffer.”

NPR

• Albanian government: “The ambition is to create a new benchmark for sustainable Mediterranean development.”

NPR

• Prime Minister Rama: “Not a single square meter of Albania has been put up for sale.”

Forbes

• EU Commission spokesperson Guillaume Mercier: “Albania should refrain from action that could undermine the fulfillment of the closing benchmark.”

Forbes

• Affinity Partners (Kushner’s investment firm): “Our focus remains on responsible stewardship, environmental enhancement, job creation, and creating long-term value for local communities.”

NPR

Environmental NGOs argue the project violates EU treaties and endangers Albania’s EU accession. Protesters demand transparency, compensation for confiscated land, and protection of public coastal space. International observers cite the rapid law change and opaque financing as signs of corruption.

Forbes

Hundreds of Albanians gathered at the Zvërnec site on 30 May 2026, tearing down metal fences. Residents of Rrjoll village claim the land was seized without compensation, with 200 families joining the demonstrations.

The Independent

• Ownership: Investigations reveal multiple shell companies (e.g., Interroyal BV) linked to the project, but the ultimate beneficiaries remain unidentified.

NPR

• Investor role: Affinity Partners denies involvement, yet communications from Sazan Real Estate Development reference the firm’s leadership.

France 24

• Scale: Kushner’s team envisions “up to 10,000 rooms” and a “new city,” while officials describe the plan as a “benchmark for sustainable development.”

NPR

• “We swam to the island. We went on a hike barefoot all the way up to the top, and we were just captivated and it stayed with us ever since.” — Ivanka Trump, podcast with David Senra

NPR

• “Birds are the first to suffer," he says with a frown.” — Taulant Bino, Albanian Ornithological Society

NPR

• “All of these say one thing: that you don't develop anything big," he explains.” — Dorian Matlija, lawyer for environmental NGOs

NPR

• “I don't want anyone to build here because this is our land," said Batozi.” — Albi Batozi, protester

NPR

• “fascist mentality” — Edi Rama, podcast (translation)

Forbes

• “The protests will not stop until the residents of the village of Rrjoll are compensated.” — Zeke Nikolle Shullani, landowner

The Independent

The anti-corruption prosecutor continues to examine the €122 million land-price surge. EU monitors will assess Albania’s compliance with Natura 2000 and rule-of-law benchmarks. Pending court decisions on the NGOs’ environmental lawsuits could delay or halt construction, while the protest movement shows no sign of abating.

Forbes