Thousands of Albanians took to the streets of Tirana on Thursday night to protest against a proposed luxury resort development linked to Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of former U.S. President Donald Trump, on an environmentally sensitive stretch of the Adriatic coast.
Demonstrators marched through the capital, voicing opposition to the €1.4 billion (£1.2 billion) project, which is being led by Kushner’s investment firm, Affinity Partners. The development is planned for an island off the Albanian coast and an undeveloped area near the Vjosa-Narta Protected Landscape, a wetland ecosystem that is home to flamingos, seals and sea turtle nesting sites.
“Albania is not for sale. Albania belongs to the Albanian people and we decide what we want to do here,” one protester said. “It is not for corrupt politicians who currently govern Albania to decide what they can do with our property, our natural heritage and our cultural heritage.”
Environmental groups have warned that the project could affect several hundred hectares of pristine coastline and protected wetlands. Conservationists say the Vjosa-Narta Protected Area is one of the country’s most important habitats for wildlife.
According to the conservation organisation PPNEA BirdLife Albania, the area is the only nesting site for flamingos in the country, with as many as 7,000 birds passing through the wetlands each year.
Protesters also called for the resignation of Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, who has publicly supported the development.
“People want him to resign because he is trying to give away the land of our country,” another demonstrator said. “He is treating our country as though it were his personal property and that of his family and associates.”
Developers have said the project will be carried out responsibly and in accordance with environmental standards. Affinity Partners and Kushner did not respond to requests for comment.
Kushner first announced plans for the Albanian resort in 2024 as part of a broader regional investment strategy that also included a redevelopment project at a former army headquarters in Belgrade, Serbia. He later abandoned the Serbian project following public protests.
The proposed Albanian development remains a source of controversy, highlighting tensions between economic investment ambitions and environmental conservation efforts in the country.
Source: Reuters
