Albanian PM Rama compares Kushner resort protesters to Nazis, defends project

Topline

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama condemned protesters in the country for displaying a "fascist mentality" over the weekend, as the leader reinforced his defense of Jared Kushner's plans for luxury resorts on Albania's coasts amid growing environmental protests.

Key Facts

• Protests in Albania have been ongoing for more than two weeks, with Albanians rallying against Kushner's planned resort development on Sazan Island and the Albanian coast. The projects have raised environmental concerns about construction on protected land and its potential impact on wildlife.
• The protests—dubbed the "Flamingo Revolution"—have also broadly targeted Rama's leadership. The prime minister has long defended the Kushner development, claiming it does not pose the environmental risks alleged by protesters.
• Rama doubled down on his defense during his podcast over the weekend, arguing that while "many" protesters act "with good intentions," some hold a "fascist mentality," as translated by Euronews.
• He described that "mentality" as one that says: "'Albania belongs to Albanians,' meaning that everyone else is not welcome." He likened it to Nazi Germany, stating it was "just as Germany was once said to belong to Germans and later became Europe's black sheep for many years."
• The PM also posted a lengthy defense of the two Kushner developments on social media, arguing the government is handling negotiations in a "dignified and professional" way and that officials are not putting Albania up "for sale" as protesters claim, because the projects are either on government-owned land or entirely controlled by private parties.
• Rama decried news and social media reports that allegedly "malign Albania" and the "vile spectacle of gossip, fabrications, accusations, and denigrations" against the project, writing: "ANYONE WHO TRIES TO DRAG ALBANIA BACK DOWN WILL NEVER SUCCEED AGAIN."

Crucial Quote

"A fascist mentality is when you say: 'I want to speak, I want to express my views, I want to protest, I want to stay on the boulevard,' but at the same time refuse to accept that others may hold different opinions or positions," Rama said on his podcast, as translated by Euronews, describing it as "undoubtedly a very dangerous component of the protest."

Big Number

100,000 to 200,000 — That is how many protesters rallied in Albania on Saturday, according to Politico, which described the weekend event as the largest "Flamingo Revolution" protest to date.

Tangent

In addition to the ongoing protests, Rama's defense of the construction comes as the resort developments threaten Albania's bid to join the European Union. European officials last week said they had warned Albania that changes to the country's environmental laws—which helped enable the Kushner construction—could fail to meet benchmarks necessary for any country seeking EU membership.

"Albania should refrain from action that could undermine the fulfillment of the closing benchmark, and we expect the Albanian authorities to act without delay," European Commission spokesperson Guillaume Mercier told reporters last week, referring to the benchmark Albania must reach to meet EU environmental standards and complete negotiations.

How Is Rama Defending the Kushner Developments?

Rama has argued that Sazan Island is and will remain state property, but the state would participate in any investment and receive shares of any development. "Not a single square meter of Albania has been put up for sale," Rama wrote. Speaking about the coastal project in Zvërnec, Albania, Rama argued that all the land involved is private property.