Protests have grown in Albania against a luxury resort project linked to Jared Kushner, US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, according to SZ.de and T-Online; the project, involving the construction of a resort near the Adriatic coast and on the previously uninhabited island of Sazan, has drawn significant public backlash.

Plans and Protests

The proposed development includes villas, luxury apartments, and a marina near Zvernec and Vlora, as well as a smaller resort on Sazan, a former military outpost from the pre-communist era. According to T-Online. The project has sparked large demonstrations in Tirana, with protesters marching to the office of Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama to demand a halt to the construction.

Environmental Concerns

Environmental groups have raised concerns about the potential impact of the resort on the Lagune di Narta, a vital wetland area in the delta of the Vjosa River. The area is home to rare turtles and flamingos, and the proposed construction site lies within a protected natural zone; According to SZ.de, protesters argue that the project threatens the fragile environment and could cause irreversible damage.

Political and Public Reaction

Prime Minister Edi Rama has maintained his support for the project despite the growing public opposition. During a meeting in Davos in 2022, Jared Kushner, who is married to Ivanka Trump, discussed the project with Rama, according to SZ.de. Ivanka Trump later described how the family discovered the site during a boat trip with friends. “We were on the boat of a friend and made a stop for swimming,” she said. “We swam to the island, hiked barefoot to the top, and were simply fascinated.”

According to T-Online, the protests have not only been in Albania but have also sparked similar demonstrations in Serbia and Vietnam, where other investments by Trump-linked entities have faced public scrutiny.

During the demonstrations in Tirana, police used water cannons against protesters, and there were reports of clashes, according to T-Online. The government has not indicated any changes to the project, and Rama has stated that Albania is not for sale, as quoted in SZ.de.