In Tirana, Albania, protests against a major coastal development connected to Jared Kushner, son-in-law of former U.S. President Donald Trump, continue to escalate. On Wednesday, law enforcement used water cannons and clashed with demonstrators in the capital city. The Albanian government views the project as vital to entering the high-end tourism market and advancing toward European Union membership.
Resistance from Protesters
The development spans an island and a nearby coastline in southern Albania and has attracted substantial opposition from environmental activists and critics of Prime Minister Edi Rama’s government. The luxury project features a seafront development in the Narta Lagoon, a noted wildlife reserve, and a smaller resort on an uninhabited island previously used as a military base during the communist era.
Kushner and Ivanka Trump, who are tied to the development, discovered the site during a hike. Ivanka described finding the location while swimming during a stop made on a friend’s boat. She recounted this discovery in a recent interview with podcaster David Senra.
Environmental Concerns
The development plans include hotels, apartments, villas, and a marina. Protesters have taken to the streets of Tirana, clashing with police to express concerns about environmental degradation and transparency issues. The Narta Lagoon area holds valuable biodiversity and serves as a crucial stop for migratory birds along the Adriatic coast. Demonstrators have used cardboard cut-outs of pink flamingos, representing one of these migratory bird species, in their protests.
Heavy machinery has already been seen clearing sections of the land, which has raised alarms among environmental groups both within Albania and across Europe. The land involved is reported to be privately owned; however, disputes over its privatization have arisen, prompting Albania’s anti-corruption agency to open an investigation.
Government’s Defense and Opposition
Prime Minister Rama defends the development, arguing its alignment with Albania’s goals to become a significant global tourism hub. He affirmed the partnership involves a planned investment of 4 billion euros (about $4.6 billion). Rama stated his unwavering support, declaring the investment would proceed as long as he remains in office.
The controversy mirrors a similar incident in Serbia, where a Kushner-linked development was halted due to legal issues. Serbia’s government had passed a law to support a luxury complex in Belgrade, but subsequent legal actions led Kushner to withdraw from the project.
Opposition groups in Albania continue to highlight concerns over the potential destruction of protected habitats in favor of extensive commercial development.