In an unprecedented and highly provocative statement, Edi Rama chose to respond to the wave of rage sweeping across Albania in recent weeks. Speaking to the Financial Times, the Albanian Prime Minister hit back at his critics as the country shakes from the "Flamingo Revolution"—the massive anti-corruption demonstrations against a mammoth tourist investment by Donald Trump’s son-in-law in a protected area. Protesters have called for Rama to resign and be prosecuted for what they perceive as systemic corruption, which allows international investors to build on protected land. After weeks of protests against corruption, the Albanian Prime Minister denied being the "Godfather" of Albania. "People say I am the boss of all this. I tell them, 'Go f*** yourselves.' It’s that simple," he stated. "It is not up to me to prove I am not the Godfather; it is up to them to prove that I am."
Arrest warrants raining down
Albanian prosecutorial authorities have issued arrest warrants for more than a dozen businessmen for drug trafficking and money laundering, including one who previously owned land in the area set to be developed by Jared Kushner and his wife, Ivanka Trump. Rama insisted that Kushner’s investments were completely legal and that there was no connection to the ongoing investigation into the previous landowner. "To say that the Albanian economy [is based] on money laundering, that is horrible," Rama told the FT from his office overlooking the boulevard where tens of thousands of people have been protesting every night for more than three weeks. "Money laundering [is] part of our economy, but it is not that big of a problem," he added. "Do you think there is no money laundering in London? There is. But can you say the British economy is largely money laundering? No."
Albanian anti-corruption prosecutors issued arrest warrants for 20 businessmen, who they claimed were involved in international drug smuggling and money laundering. There are suspicions that billions of euros were channeled into large construction projects along the Adriatic coast and in the Albanian capital. Among the targeted businessmen is Artur Shehu, a dual American and Albanian citizen living in Miami. In 2025, Shehu sold land near the nature reserve where flamingos nest to the company Albania Land Development, which is linked to Kushner’s project. This deal came under the microscope of anti-corruption prosecutors, who froze payments worth 128 million euros pending the investigation.
"Albania is fighting corruption"
Rama argued that his government has allowed prosecutors to pursue cases with greater determination, which has also increased the impression that the country is mired in corruption and organized crime. "Actually, the opposite is happening. Albania is fighting (corruption) like never before and it is much less corrupt today than it was." He reiterated claims that the protests were instigated by enemies of the US President, including Iran.
"There is great interest in destroying this project... because of Trump," he said. "If it wasn't for Jared Kushner... nobody would give a damn about the flamingos, about Albania, about anything. It’s all this hatred against Trump that is causing all this scrutiny." He stated he is confident that the plans for the coastal development will proceed despite the protests. "The important part is that the investors are not criminals and are not involved in money laundering," Rama said. "They are big investors. It is a historic opportunity for Albania."
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