Albania is in the midst of a 'Flamingo Revolution' sparked by Ivanka Trump's plans to transform a Cold War-era military base on Sazan Island into a luxury hotel. The project, backed by Saudi investors and led by Trump and her husband Jared Kushner, has ignited widespread protests and an anti-corruption investigation.
What is the Flamingo Revolution?
Thousands of Albanians have taken to the streets to protest the development, which threatens the fragile ecosystem of Sazan Island—Albania's largest island and a designated military exclusion zone. The island is home to Europe's last wild river delta, which supports critically endangered species such as the Balkan lynx, Mediterranean monk seal, and thousands of pink flamingos. Protesters have clashed with police, displaying signs reading 'Albania is not for sale' and 'Sazan is not a private island, it belongs to the Albanian people.'
Lack of transparency and legal concerns
Aleksandër Trajçe, executive director of the Protection and Preservation of the Natural Environment in Albania (PPNEA), told The Guardian: 'From start to finish there has been a total lack of transparency. We have seen no public consultation or public documentation regarding permits, and so now what we are saying is, if they remove the bulldozers, remove the fence and restore the habitats to what they were, then we can start talking.'
Albania's anti-corruption office has launched an investigation into how Kushner acquired the land without going through the normal public tender process. Additionally, a 2024 law allows 'structures of excellence, five stars or more' to be built in environmentally protected areas, further fueling outrage.
Government response and environmental impact
Prime Minister Edi Rama defended the project, telling CNN: 'The challenge is not to pour concrete over the heads of flamingos. The challenge is to prove that development and nature can not only coexist, but that nature and development need each other.' However, environmental biologist Melitjan Nezaj of PPNEA told CNN: 'The project is quite destructive, since it's actually planned to be built within a protected area, within a protected landscape, which is actually one of the most intact wetlands in the Mediterranean.'
Activists also highlight that Albanian law designates sea and sand as public property, yet newly erected fences on the island have restricted access, sparking further anger.
Ivanka Trump's stance
Despite the backlash, Ivanka Trump appears committed to the project. She told a podcast recently: 'You can't just, like, impose yourself upon a country or culture — you have to understand it first to do it in a beautiful and delicate and meaningful way.'
