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🇦🇺 Australia /Culture & Society

'Flamingo Revolution' Protests Trump-Linked Resort in Albania

From ABC Australia · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Protests are intensifying in Albania against a planned luxury resort development on Sazan Island and in the Vjosa-Narta Lagoon, linked to Jared and Ivanka Trump.
  • The project, valued at $1.98 billion, has sparked environmental concerns due to the area's rich biodiversity, including flamingos and Mediterranean monk seals.
  • Conservation groups accuse developers of operating without permits and damaging sensitive habitats, leading to the protests being dubbed the "flamingo revolution."

A fierce fight is brewing in Albania over a proposed luxury resort development involving the family of former U.S. President Donald Trump. Protests have intensified, with flamingos emerging as an unlikely mascot for the movement against the project planned for Sazan Island and the Vjosa-Narta Lagoon.

The development idea reportedly originated during a private yacht trip by Ivanka Trump in 2021. She described being "captivated" by the undeveloped island of Sazan. The project, managed by Miami-based firm Affinity, is estimated to cost $1.98 billion. It includes a coastal development and a resort on Sazan Island. Jared Kushner has shared concept art, envisioning it as an "ideal resort," while Ivanka Trump positions herself as a real estate expert involved in its development.

We swam to the islands, went on a hike barefoot all the way up to the top and we were just captivated and it stayed with us ever since.

— Ivanka TrumpIvanka Trump described the initial inspiration for the resort development during a podcast interview.

The area targeted for development is ecologically significant. Sazan Island, a former communist-era military base, is now a sanctuary for over 200 migratory bird species, rare Mediterranean monk seals, and nesting sea turtles. Flamingos are particularly prominent, with Ornithologist Ledi Selgjekaj noting that over 1 percent of the global flamingo population resides in Albania. This rich biodiversity is why the protests have been dubbed the "flamingo revolution."

Conservation groups, including the Preservation and Protection of the Natural Environment in Albania (PPNEA), have raised serious concerns. They accuse the developers of operating heavy machinery without permits and damaging the natural environment, particularly the sand dunes. The Albanian government granted preliminary approval for the project on December 30, a decision potentially influenced by Jared Kushner's past connections with Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama during the first Trump administration.

It will be the ideal resort that I’d want to be at with my family and with my friends.

— Jared KushnerJared Kushner shared his vision for the planned luxury resort.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Australia in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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