Protests in Albania regarding a proposed luxury resort, supported by Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of former President Donald Trump, are expected to escalate as dissenters have declined an invitation from the Prime Minister to negotiate solutions.
On Wednesday, thousands of demonstrators gathered in Tirana for the third consecutive day, some carrying inflatable flamingos to symbolize their concerns over potential environmental harm, as calls to halt the development grow louder.
Additional protests are scheduled in southern Albania, where construction has recently commenced on the $1.6 billion project in an area recognized for its ecological sensitivity in the Mediterranean.
“There has been a complete lack of transparency from the outset,” stated Aleksandr Trajce, the executive director of Albania’s leading environmental organization, the Protection and Preservation of the Natural Environment in Albania (PPNEA). “There has been no public consultation or documentation concerning permits. We believe that if they stop the construction, remove the barriers, and restore the habitats, we can begin discussions.”
Prime Minister Edi Rama, who has characterized the project as a significant step for Albania in transitioning from its past as a Stalinist regime to a high-end tourist destination, proposed a meeting with protesters on Tuesday to resolve the ongoing impasse. However, he reiterated his stance, asserting that the investment would continue as long as he remains in office.
The PPNEA sounded the alarm when it became evident that a region of significant biodiversity and cultural heritage was at risk. Earlier this year, Ivanka Trump unexpectedly visited Albania, touring the proposed development site with a team of architects representing her husband’s investment firm, Affinity Partners.
The planned resort aims to encompass not only Albania’s sole island, Sazan, but also the surrounding wetlands and coastal habitats within the marine national park. This area is critical for the Mediterranean monk seal and is home to over 200 bird species, many of which are endangered, including flamingos and Dalmatian pelicans, as reported by BirdLife International.
Development plans also extend to protected coastal areas north of Zvërnec, between the Narta lagoon and the sea.
“We have never encountered anything like this in Albania’s protected areas,” Trajce commented. “This situation is not just extraordinary; it represents a serious breakdown of the rule of law, with no regard for society or the environment, and no proper permits—just bulldozers moving in.”
Public outrage surged when construction workers began erecting a concrete fence topped with barbed wire around the site near Zvërnec, along with a private security presence to guard it, while heavy machinery began to damage ancient dunes and Mediterranean pine forests to facilitate access roads.
“That was the tipping point for local residents,” Trajce noted. “Landowners and workers suddenly found themselves unable to access their property. This issue has transcended environmental concerns; it has become a matter of civic rights.”
This week, Albania’s special anti-corruption prosecution unit, SPAK, announced it had initiated an investigation into the controversial legislative changes made in 2024 regarding protected areas.
Developers maintain they will proceed responsibly. “Our primary focus is on responsible management, environmental improvement, job creation, and delivering long-term benefits to local communities. We respect the ongoing public and institutional processes,” stated Asher Abehsera, chair of Sazan Real Estate Development LLC, which is collaborating with Kushner’s firm on the project.
Rama, who secured a fourth term last year with the goal of integrating Albania into the EU by 2030, is keen to attract investments to a nation that remains one of Europe’s poorest. He insists that the development will not jeopardize the pristine coastline.
In a statement to the Albanian parliament on June 1, he indicated that negotiations were still in progress and no final agreement had been reached. On Wednesday, he emphasized the importance of maintaining a welcoming environment for investors, stating, “We must ensure that we do not become known as a country where investors face hostility.”
In a prior interview with the Guardian, Rama revealed that Kushner’s interest in Albania had been longstanding, dating back to a time when Trump was not yet a presidential candidate and faced legal challenges. “This was not about Trump but about Jared as an American investor with a promising project,” he remarked.
After nearly five decades of isolation under a regime that restricted travel, Albania has seen a surge in popularity among tourists drawn to its natural beauty and affordability.
Supporters view Rama’s efforts to attract upscale investors as essential to preventing potential issues associated with overtourism. Conversely, opponents express that the controversy reflects broader dissatisfaction with the government’s actions. “The anger is less about Kushner or Ivanka Trump and more directed at the government and its handling of the situation,” Trajce concluded.
Affinity Partners has been contacted for a response.
