Protests in Albania over a proposed luxury resort backed by Jared Kushner, Donald Trump's son-in-law, are set to intensify 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 environmental concerns. The $1.6 billion complex is planned for a protected coastal area, and groundwork has already begun.
Conservation groups, including the Protection and Preservation of the Natural Environment in Albania (PPNEA), have condemned the lack of transparency. Aleksandr Trajce, executive director of PPNEA, stated: 'From start to finish there has been a total lack of transparency. We have seen no public consultation or public documentation regarding permits.' He called for the removal of bulldozers and restoration of habitats before any talks can begin.
Prime Minister Rama, who has defended the project as a milestone for Albania's transformation into a high-end holiday destination, proposed a meeting with protesters but insisted: 'There is absolutely no chance that the investment will stop as long as I am here.' The development, backed by Kushner's investment firm Affinity Partners, covers the uninhabited island of Sazan and surrounding wetlands in a marine national park, home to endangered species such as the Mediterranean monk seal and over 200 bird species.
Local outrage escalated when workers erected a concrete fence with barbed wire around the site near Zvërnec, installed private security, and began clearing ancient dunes and pine forests for access roads. Trajce noted: 'People with land there suddenly couldn't get to it. It's gone beyond being an environmental issue now. It's a citizen thing.'
Albania's special anti-corruption prosecution body, SPAK, has launched an inquiry into legislative changes adopted in 2024 regarding protected areas. Developers, including Sazan Real Estate Development LLC, stated: 'Our focus remains on responsible stewardship, environmental enhancement, job creation, and creating long-term value for local communities.' Rama, who won a fourth term on a promise of EU accession by 2030, denies the development will endanger the coastline, though negotiations are ongoing.
