Kushner's $4 Billion Resort on Protected Albanian Coast Sparks "Flamingo Revolution" — Barbed Wire on Beaches, Bulldozed Turtle Nests, Assets Frozen
Jared Kushner's Affinity Partners is building a $4 billion luxury resort on Albania's Adriatic coast — on the protected Vjosa-Narta wildlife reserve and Sazan island, a former communist military base. Bulldozers destroyed at least one sea turtle nest. Developers installed barbed wire blocking public beach access. Thousands took to the streets in the "Flamingo Revolution," carrying inflatable flamingos and signs reading "Albania is not for sale." Police responded with water cannons. Anti-corruption prosecutors (SPAK) froze developer bank accounts and opened a probe into fraudulent land titles and a 2024 law that conveniently removed the ban on building in protected areas. Ivanka said they "discovered" the island while swimming from a friend's boat. PM Rama: "There is no chance for this investment to stop as long as I am here." In Serbia, a nearly identical Kushner-linked project collapsed after four people — including a government minister — were charged with abuse of office. Diaspora protests spread to Berlin, London, New York, and Toronto.