Reports in Albanian media suggest the development company, Zvërnec South Adriatic Development, is controlled through a network of Dutch-registered entities, while the ultimate owners have not been revealed. The involvement of the Kastrati Group, Albania’s largest privately owned conglomerate, has also been reported, though its exact role is still unclear.
Zvërnec Adriatic South Development, Kastrati Group, and SPAK did not respond to requests for comment by the time of publication.
The government defends the development strategy as essential for transforming Albania into a high-end Mediterranean tourism destination. Prime Minister Edi Rama has framed such investments as part of long-term economic modernization, arguing they will increase national revenue and international visibility. Rama initially proposed dialog with the protesters, but as resistance grew he abandoned that approach and shifted to discrediting the movement.
“The problem is not the flamingos,” he said in a social media post, describing the protesters. “The problem is that the flamingos refuse to listen to the facts, discuss solutions, and coordinate efforts with institutions and serious sources of expertise in order to protect everything that needs protection while allowing the right project to move forward. In doing so, they become tools of the crows and ravens that surround them.”
Initially, protesters were described in various ways—ranging from accusations of being influenced by foreign interests to being labeled as agents of external powers. Later, criticism extended to international media coverage, and more recently the protests have been framed as driven by influencers and algorithms rather than genuine civic mobilization.
The protests have sparked both hope and anger at the same time, creating a domino effect across several Albanian cities. Inspired by the dismantling of the fence in Zvërnec, citizens have torn down barriers that, in their view, symbolize the abuse of power and the privatization of public spaces. Similar actions have taken place in Rrjoll and Librazhd, and most recently in Kakome Bay on the Albanian Riviera. For nearly two decades, access to the bay had been restricted due to long-standing property disputes, preventing the public from freely reaching one of the country’s most scenic coastal areas.
Rama, in an interview with Albanian media, denied that Ivanka Trump’s remarks about Sazan were accurate or reflective of the actual investment process. Rama defended the proposed developments, dismissing concerns as misunderstandings, and stated that in Albania islands cannot be privately given or taken in secrecy. Protesters are unpersuaded; earlier this week there were calls for a nationwide mobilization of demonstrations to take place this Saturday. They are now demanding a technical government and early elections.
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