Tens of thousands of Albanians rallied in Tirana to oppose a luxury resort project valued at over $4.6 billion, or more than 150 billion baht, linked to Ivanka Trump, daughter, and Jared Kushner, son-in-law of U.S. President Donald Trump. Protesters worried the project would damage the Adriatic coastal ecosystem and important wetlands, while also demanding the prime minister resign.
The protests, ongoing for more than a week in Tirana, escalated after clashes occurred in late May when the developer installed barbed wire to block parts of the protected natural area in the village of Zvërnek. Online criticism surged after images showed excavators altering the beach and confrontations with private security guards.
The five-star luxury resort concept was developed by Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump, who were impressed by Albania during a yacht cruise a few years ago. The plan includes not only a luxury hotel but also aims to transform "Sazan Island," a deserted island formerly a secret military base during the communist era, into a world-class tourist destination.
However, protesters and conservationists highlight that the construction site lies within a highly important wetland area, home to flamingos, seals, and sea turtle nesting grounds, warning that the project would cause permanent destruction of the lagoon's natural environment.
One protester said, "The Zvërnek project will destroy our nature. It is being built on protected land and wildlife sanctuaries. This will undermine our country's long-term tourism potential."
During the latest march, protesters moved to the government building on the capital's main street, holding large banners stating "Albania is not for sale" and chanting demands for Prime Minister Edi Rama to resign.
The protest atmosphere was tense. Scholars and young people noted that public patience had run out after Prime Minister Rama’s administration since 2013 failed to eliminate widespread corruption or improve basic services such as healthcare.
The protests intensified further following a recent public uprising that led to the dismissal of Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku amid corruption allegations, escalating distrust toward the government to its peak.
Environmental concerns over the project have not only sparked national conflict but also prompted warnings from the European Union, which indicated the project might delay Albania's EU membership accession process—a key political goal for Prime Minister Rama.
Nonetheless, Prime Minister Edi Rama told Reuters clearly that the project would continue and be completed responsibly. He dismissed protesters’ concerns, stating the project is still in progress and there is nothing to worry about.
Rama also claimed significant progress in combating corruption, citing the establishment of a special prosecutor’s office investigating several major fraud cases in recent years. However, protesters see this as a vast, opaque collusion between the government and foreign investors that the public will no longer tolerate.
. AFP /. Reuters