Albanians protest Kushner-linked resort plan near protected wetland

TIRANA: Thousands of people gathered in Albania’s capital late on Thursday in the biggest protest this week against a proposed luxury resort backed by a company linked to US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, according to the reported account.

The planned €1.4 billion ($1.6 billion) development is being pursued by Jared Kushner’s investment firm, Affinity Partners, on an island off Albania as well as along an undeveloped coastal stretch near the Vjosa-Narta protected area in the country’s south. The wetland is home to flamingos, seals and sea turtle nesting sites.

Environmental campaigners have opposed the project, saying it would affect several hundred hectares of untouched beaches and disrupt thousands of flamingos that nest in or pass through nearby areas each year. Local demonstrations began last week after groundwork started and heavy machinery arrived at the Vjosa-Narta site, and were later followed by larger protests in Tirana.

On Thursday night, protesters again assembled outside the office of Prime Minister Edi Rama, carrying pink inflatable flamingos and chanting revolution and stop the project. One placard read: Edi Rama, resign.

Among those taking part was writer Lindita Komani, who criticised both the project and Albania’s political leadership.

"Albania is not for sale. Albania belongs to the Albanian people and we decide what we want to do here. It's not that some corrupt politicians who run Albania can decide what they can do with our property, with the Albanian heritage, the natural heritage, a cultural heritage"

Prime Minister Rama has defended the development. The developers have said their priority will be responsible stewardship and environmental enhancement.

Albania’s Economy and Innovation Minister Delina Ibrahimaj said on Thursday that environmental impact assessments were being prepared for the proposed investment. She said the project would have to fully comply with environmental legislation and protect the local habitat. Ibrahimaj was quoted by Albania’s state news agency ATA as saying that European environmental directives and Albanian law provide legal safeguards against projects that could damage the protected lagoon and surrounding ecosystems.

Kushner unveiled the resort proposal in 2024 as part of a broader investment plan that also included a former army headquarters in Belgrade, the Serbian capital. He abandoned the Serbia project last year after street protests.