Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama has rejected accusations that he is the "Godfather" of the country amid ongoing protests triggered by a luxury resort development linked to Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump. The protests, which have been ongoing for more than three weeks in Tirana, are known as the "Flamingo Revolution," named after the local nature reserve near the development site, famed for its flamingo population.
The planned $4 billion resort has drawn significant public criticism, with protesters calling for Rama's resignation and prosecution over allegations of systemic corruption that they believe has enabled the project to proceed on protected land. Activists argue that the approval of the Kushner-linked development exemplifies broader issues with corruption and abuse of power in Albania.
Rama has strongly denied these claims, arguing that the allegations are unfounded and offensive. "People say that I am the leader of all this. I tell them fuck you. That simple," he said, emphasizing that the burden of proof lies with accusers. He maintained that the Kushner investments were legitimate and distanced the project from the ongoing anti-corruption investigations targeting previous landowners.
The controversies surrounding the development are compounded by a wider crackdown on corruption by Albanian prosecutors, who have issued arrest warrants for more than a dozen businessmen connected to international drug trafficking and money laundering networks. Among those investigated is Artur Shehu, a dual US-Albanian citizen who sold land near the flamingo reserve in 2025 to Albania Land Development, a company linked to the Kushner project. Prosecutors have frozen €128 million in payments related to that transaction while pursuing the case further. Shehu has not publicly responded to inquiries.
Rama acknowledged that money laundering does exist in Albania but contested claims that it defines the country's economy. He pointed out that no economy is immune to such issues, referencing London as an example, and emphasized his government's efforts to intensify the fight against corruption and organized crime. "In fact it’s the other way around. Albania is fighting like never before and is far less corrupt today than it was," he said.
The prime minister also suggested that the protests had been influenced by geopolitical interests opposed to the involvement of Kushner and Ivanka Trump, alleging that enemies of former US President Donald Trump, including Iran, were seeking to undermine the project. He expressed confidence that the development would proceed despite public opposition, describing the investors as legitimate and underscoring the potential economic benefits of the project for Albania.
Representatives for Kushner and his Albanian partners have not publicly commented on the allegations or the protests. Meanwhile, tens of thousands continue to demonstrate in Tirana, underscoring the deep divisions within Albanian society over the intersection of development, environmental protection, and corruption concerns.