Albania’s revolt: How Rama’s Kushner resort deal became a threat to his leadership

Shortly after Donald Trump’s election victory in 2024, Albania’s Prime Minister Edi Rama gave preliminary approval to a luxury resort project linked to the incoming US president’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner. The project formed part of wider plans to develop the strategic island of Sazan and the nearby Zvernec coast, around the protected Narta wetlands. On 30 December 2024, Rama’s Strategic Investments Committee granted Atlantic Incubation Partners LLC, the Kushner-linked company, strategic investor status for the €1.4bn Sazan resort.