‘Albania is not for sale’: Protests grow over Kushner-linked luxury development project
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‘Albania is not for sale’: Protests grow over Kushner-linked luxury development project

Thousands protested in Albania’s capital over the weekend for one of the largest rallies yet against a proposed luxury development project linked to U.S. President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner.

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Protesters in Tirana were seen carrying Albanian flags and banners saying “Albania is not for sale” on Saturday as they marched toward the office of Prime Minister Edil Rama, calling for his resignation and reportedly chanting against the Socialist Party government.

Further protests took place in the western city of Vlora on Sunday as demonstrations continued into their 22nd consecutive day.

The primary focus of the demonstrations is a proposed multi-billion-euro tourism project on Albania’s Adriatic coast, a development supported by Kushner’s Affinity Partners.

The protests have since fused with wider public anger over opaque real estate deals and alleged government corruption.

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The protests have become known as the “flamingo revolution” due to the purported threat to wildlife and delicate ecosystems, including flocks of flamingos, posed by development projects on the country’s southern coast.

Albania’s prime minister, who has defended the Kushner-linked development, has rejected calls to resign.

Rama has reportedly said Kushner’s involvement, rather than environmental concerns about the project itself, seemed to be fueling the protests.

CNBC has contacted Affinity Partners and a spokesperson for Albania’s government for comment.

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