Thursday, June 4, 2026- Plans for a large luxury coastal resort project in Albania linked to Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of U.S. President Donald Trump, and his wife Ivanka Trump have sparked significant public backlash and sustained protests in the nation’s capital, Tirana.
Thousands of protesters have taken to the streets for several days, expressing anger over the development of hotels, villas, and a marina along a pristine stretch of the Adriatic coastline and on the nearby uninhabited island of Sazan areas valued for their biodiversity and natural beauty. Critics say the project lacks transparency and public consultation, fueling distrust about its environmental and social impact.
Environmental concerns are at the heart of the unrest. Protesters and conservation groups argue that building the planned resort seen as a multi-billion-euro investment designed to boost high-end tourism would threaten protected wetlands, fragile ecosystems, and key habitats for migratory birds, sea turtles, and other wildlife in the Vjosa-Narta landscape.
Demonstrators have carried signs and symbolic props like inflatable flamingos to highlight perceived threats to wildlife, while some clashes with police and private security have occurred as tensions rise.
Meanwhile, Albania’s government, led by Prime Minister Edi Rama, insists the project will proceed, framing it as vital for economic growth and foreign investment.
Beyond environmental fears, the protests reflect deeper unease about land rights, governance, and Albania’s trajectory.
Activists and citizens have voiced frustration over alleged legal discrepancies in land privatization and rapid approvals granted to the investment firm linked to Kushner, which has been given special investor status. An ongoing anti-corruption investigation into aspects of the project has added to the urgency of calls for accountability.
With national pride and ecological stewardship on the line, Albanians are pushing back hard against what many see as an overreach by powerful foreign interests in shaping their coastal future.
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