Protests in Albania against a proposed luxury resort backed by Jared Kushner, Donald Trump's son-in-law, are intensifying after opponents rejected an offer from Prime Minister Edi Rama to discuss solutions. Thousands have taken to the streets of Tirana for three consecutive days, with some brandishing inflatable flamingos to highlight feared environmental damage. Further protests are planned in southern Albania, where groundwork on the $1.6bn complex has begun in a protected coastal area.
Conservation groups, including the Protection and Preservation of the Natural Environment in Albania (PPNEA), have condemned the lack of transparency. Executive director Aleksandr Trajce stated that there has been no public consultation or documentation regarding permits, and called for the removal of bulldozers and fences to restore habitats. Prime Minister Rama, who has defended the development as a milestone for Albania's transformation into a high-end holiday destination, insists the investment will not stop under his leadership.
The resort, backed by Kushner's Affinity Partners, is planned for an area encompassing the uninhabited island of Sazan, wetlands, and coastal habitats in a marine national park. The region is a refuge for the endangered Mediterranean monk seal and hosts over 200 bird species, including flamingos and Dalmatian pelicans, according to BirdLife International. Work has already begun near the village of Zvërnec, with heavy machinery clearing ancient dunes and pine forests for access roads.
Local anger has escalated as a concrete fence with barbed wire was erected around the site, and a private security firm was hired. Trajce noted that the issue has grown beyond environmental concerns to a broader citizen rights matter. Albania's anti-corruption prosecution body, SPAK, has launched an inquiry into controversial legislative changes regarding protected areas adopted in 2024.
Developers, represented by Asher Abehsera of Sazan Real Estate Development LLC, have pledged responsible stewardship, environmental enhancement, and job creation. Prime Minister Rama, who won a fourth term on a promise of EU membership by 2030, denies the development will endanger the coastline, stating that negotiations are ongoing and a final proposal has yet to be agreed.
