Albania’s revolt: How Rama’s Kushner resort deal became a threat to his leadership

Albania’s Prime Minister Edi Rama has faced growing discontent as his decision to approve a luxury resort project linked to Jared Kushner, Donald Trump’s son-in-law, becomes a threat to his leadership. The project, part of broader plans for the Sazan island and Zvernec coast, was granted strategic investor status by Rama’s Strategic Investments Committee in December 2024.

This move, aimed at securing access to the incoming Trump administration, has become emblematic of Rama’s reliance on powerful international partners to maintain his position of power.

Opposition to the deal has fueled widespread anger over corruption and inequality, with many Albanians struggling with low wages, unemployment, and the pressure to emigrate. Over 600,000 people emigrated from Albania between 2011 and 2023, leading to a declining population of approximately 2.3 million. The government now relies on immigration from poorer countries, such as India and the Philippines, to fill labor gaps.

The protests, dubbed the “Flamingo Revolution,” gained international attention due to the corruption and the impact on the Narta wetlands. Students joined the movement, protesting education costs and limited opportunities. Rama’s government has responded with threats of severe punishment for participants, including bonuses for police officers who engage in violence against protesters.

Critics, like former MP Ervin Salianji, argue that the protests offer a glimmer of hope, as the lack of a single leader means the government cannot buy off or threaten individual protestors. However, analysts like Fatos Lubonja warn that the protests expose a deeper crisis of institutions and democracy, suggesting that crime has taken hold of the state under Rama’s 13-year rule.