Albanian PM: Government is not selling public land

Prime Minister of Albania Edi Rama stated that the investment in Zvërnec is a blessing for the country as it brings a EUR 4 billion investment into the economy.

In an interview with “Al Jazeera,” Rama spoke about the investment in Zvërnec, emphasizing that “it has never been in question whether this project will go ahead or not.”

Prime Minister Edi Rama emphasized that this project represents a major investment opportunity, while rejecting claims that the government is selling out public land, CE Report quotes ATA.

“This is a blessing for the country. A €4 billion investment in a country with a gross domestic product of approximately €27 billion speaks for itself,” Rama said.

The Prime Minister clarified that the investment will be developed on privately owned land rather than public property, it is an expression of interest based on a private deal between private entities, in which the Albanian government has nothing to do.

“When it comes to the project that has created such a worldwide outrage, it is about a private property. It is not about a public land that the Albanian government is giving by ‘selling out’ the country. The land is privately owned. It is an expression of interest based on a private deal between private parties, in which the Albanian government has nothing to do,” Rama said.

The Flamingo Revolution is an ongoing series of anti-government protests in Albania. On 23 May 2026, demonstrations against groundwork on a proposed luxury tourism development began in and around the village of Zvërnec, in Vlorë County. The project, primarily backed by the American investor Jared Kushner, has received preliminary approval from the government, and is planned to incorporate environmentally protected land on the island of Sazan and on the coast near Zvërnec. Flamingos, which use these areas as breeding grounds, are frequently used as a symbol by protesters.

Protesters clashed with private security on 30 May, and three people were arrested in connection to violence against protesters. Demonstrations subsequently expanded to other parts of Albania and among the Albanian diaspora. Thousands have marched in the capital city of Tirana, taking a broader stance against political corruption and a lack of government transparency. Some sources have described the demonstrations as Gen Z protests due to Generation Z's prominent role in their organization and symbolism.

Photo Wikipedia