Trump, Kushner, oligarchs and flamingos. Welcome to Albania's revolution

A controversial $6.5 billion luxury resort project proposed for Albania's Zvërnec Peninsula has ignited widespread anger, with locals and environmentalists protesting what they call the destruction of a "free and fragile paradise." The development, planned for the shores of Sazan Island and adjacent to the Narta Lagoon, is seen as a threat to one of the last untouched stretches of the Mediterranean coastline.

Environmental activists like Aleksander Trajce highlight the ecological significance of the area, which is home to endangered monk seals, rare loggerhead turtles, and approximately 200 species of birds, including flocks of flamingos. The Narta Lagoon, in particular, is a thriving ecosystem that stands in stark contrast to the heavily developed coastlines common in other parts of the Mediterranean.

The proposed resort, backed by Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump, promises opulent features including thousands of rooms, a casino, and water park, with dining by a renowned New York eatery. The involvement of prestigious hoteliers like Aman, whose rooms can cost around $1,000 a night, far exceeding the median monthly salary in Albania, underscores the scale and exclusivity of the project. This "Flamingo Revolution," as it's being called, is a direct response to the government's approval of a plan that critics argue prioritizes oligarchic interests and potential corruption over environmental preservation and local well-being.

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This is one of the last stretches of the Mediterranean that is void of intensive human intervention. It's one of the last natural gems we have.