Public protests have intensified in southern Albania over a luxury resort development linked to Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of former U.S. President Donald Trump [1].
The project has become a flashpoint for tension between the Albanian government and environmental advocates. Critics said the development prioritizes foreign investment over the preservation of fragile coastal ecosystems, and national land rights [3].
The development is situated on an abandoned island and an adjacent stretch of seafront near the town of Sarandë [1], [2]. The project is financially backed by Kushner, which has drawn scrutiny regarding the relationship between the investment and the administration of Prime Minister Edi Rama [1], [3].
Environmental campaigners said the construction threatens the biodiversity of the region. They said the scale of the luxury resort could cause irreparable damage to the local environment, a concern that has fueled rallies across the southern coast [3].
Opponents of the resort also allege political favoritism. They said the government granted preferential treatment to an investor with ties to the Trump family, suggesting that the deal lacks transparency [1], [3].
Local activists have organized demonstrations to demand a halt to the project. These protesters seek a comprehensive environmental impact assessment, and a review of the land concessions granted for the island and seafront [2], [3].
The Albanian government has not provided a detailed public rebuttal to the specific environmental claims, but the project continues to move forward despite the growing unrest [1].
“The project has become a flashpoint for tension between the Albanian government and environmental advocates.”
The controversy reflects a broader tension in Albania between aggressive foreign-led tourism development and environmental conservation. By linking the project to a high-profile U.S. political figure, the protests have shifted from a local land dispute to a critique of government transparency and the perceived influence of foreign political elites on national policy.
