Albania erupts in protests as state of emergency declared over Kushners lagoon resort

Tirana’s streets erupted into fresh clashes on Friday as Albania’s government declared a state of emergency following six days of mass protests against Jared Kushner’s $1.6 billion luxury resort on the Narta Lagoon, a protected wetland teeming with flamingos and migratory birds. Riot police fired tear gas and water cannons at demonstrators in central Tirana, where tens of thousands chanted “Albania is not for sale” and “Cancel the project,” as the crisis deepened into the country’s worst political turmoil since the 2019 earthquake.

The unrest began near the proposed development site in Zvernec, close to the Vjosa-Narta coastal area, before spreading to the capital, where protesters have occupied key squares for a week. Environmentalists warn the project, backed by Kushner’s investment firm Affinity Partners, threatens one of Europe’s last pristine wetlands, a UNESCO-recognized biodiversity hotspot. “This is not just about a resort—it’s about selling Albania’s soul,” said environmental lawyer Luljeta Progni, who joined Friday’s demonstrations. “The lagoon is a sanctuary for thousands of birds. Once it’s gone, it’s gone forever.”

Prime Minister Edi Rama’s government has defended the project as a catalyst for tourism, arguing it could create 10,000 jobs and put Albania on the global luxury travel map. But critics accuse Rama of prioritizing foreign investors over Albania’s natural heritage and democratic institutions. Opposition leader Sali Berisha, whose Democratic Party has backed the protests, called the project “a Trojan horse for corruption,” citing leaked documents linking Affinity Partners to shell companies in offshore tax havens. “This is not development—it’s plunder,” Berisha told reporters outside parliament.

The crisis has drawn international attention, with EU officials in Brussels urging Albania to “respect environmental safeguards and public consultation.” Meanwhile, social media has lit up under the hashtag #FlamingoRevolution, with users sharing images of the lagoon’s endangered species and satirical memes mocking the resort’s proposed name, “Kushner Island.” Even Albania’s usually pro-Western press has turned critical, with the daily *Koha Jonë* editorializing that “Albania deserves better than to be Trump’s son-in-law’s playground.”

As night fell on Friday, protesters lit flares outside the prime minister’s office, vowing to escalate their campaign. “We will not back down,” said 22-year-old student Anila Meta, her voice hoarse from chanting. “This is our land, our future. They can’t buy it.” With the state of emergency in effect, the coming days will test whether Rama’s government can quell the unrest—or whether the Flamingo Revolution will force a reckoning over Albania’s direction.