What Jared and Ivanka want, Jared and Ivanka get? Not if Albania’s ‘flamingo revolution’ has any say in it | Arwa Mahdawi
Up to 200,000 Albanians have protested daily for more than two weeks against a luxury resort project on Sazan island proposed by Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump. According to reporting by The Guardian, the “flamingo revolution” follows allegations that the development threatens a protected nature reserve and involves corporate entities with questionable backgrounds.
Why are Albanians protesting the Sazan island resort?
Protesters claim the project will displace local flamingos and pave over a protected nature reserve to make way for a private luxury development. The Guardian reports that the land is public property, and local anger peaked following a podcast interview with Ivanka Trump. In the interview, Trump described “discovering” Sazan island during a 2021 visit, a comment that critics describe as tone-deaf given the island’s existing status as Albanian territory.
The backlash has evolved into a national movement. According to The Guardian, this is the most significant period of civil unrest in Albania since the fall of communism.
Who is developing the project and what is the legal status?
The development is linked to Atlantic Incubation Partners, an LLC associated with Jared Kushner. The Albanian government granted the firm “strategic investor” status in 2025, shortly after the U.S. presidential election, according to The Guardian.
The project’s legality is now under official scrutiny. Albania’s anti-corruption agency has launched an investigation to determine why the land’s protected status was removed. Additionally, the Balkan Investigative Reporting Network reported that the project involves a network of individuals and companies with questionable backgrounds.
How has Prime Minister Edi Rama responded to the unrest?
Prime Minister Edi Rama has refused to resign despite calls from protesters. In an interview with MS NOW, Rama dismissed the environmental concerns as “ideological bullshit” and stated that “nobody gives a damn about the stupid flamingos.”
Rama further claimed that the American media is using the situation to attack the Trump administration rather than acting out of genuine concern for Albanian wildlife, according to the MS NOW report.
Is this part of a broader trend of “private cities”?
The Sazan island project mirrors other global attempts by billionaires to establish autonomous or private zones. The Guardian identifies several parallels:
- Nevis: Belgian investor Olivier Janssens has attempted to build a libertarian society called “Destiny” with its own court system.
- Honduras: Próspera, a city backed by Peter Thiel, operates with its own laws and police force.
- Gaza: Reports indicate plans among Trump associates to develop “AI-powered, smart cities” on Gaza’s waterfront.
- Greenland: Silicon Valley investors previously explored the idea of a “freedom city” following suggested U.S. interest in the territory.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the “Flamingo Revolution”?
It is a series of mass protests in Albania, with up to 200,000 participants daily, opposing a luxury resort on Sazan island that threatens flamingo habitats.
Who is Atlantic Incubation Partners?
According to The Guardian, it is an LLC linked to Jared Kushner that received “strategic investor” status from the Albanian government in 2025.
Is the Sazan island project legal?
The project is currently under investigation by Albania’s anti-corruption agency to determine how the land lost its protected status.
What do you think about the rise of private corporate cities? Share your thoughts in the comments below or subscribe to our newsletter for more investigative reports on global land rights.