On Albania's Adriatic coast, a luxury development project linked to Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump has become the focus of growing protests. Demonstrations held in the capital Tirana highlighted concerns about environmental impacts and lack of transparency.
The government argues that the investment on this coastline, which dates back to the former communist era, will be transformative for the country. According to officials, the project aligns with Albania's goal to open up to high-end tourism and the European Union membership process.
The project covers the coastline and an island
The planned investment consists of two main parts. One is the coastal development area around the Narta Lagoon, a wildlife protection zone. The other is a smaller resort project on nearby Sazan Island, which was formerly a military base and is uninhabited.
The project plans to build hotels, apartments, villas, and a marina. It is reported to be associated with an investment linked to Kushner and the Trump family.
Ivanka Trump: We found the site by chance
Ivanka Trump said in an interview this week with American podcast host David Senra that they found the area on a friend's boat. After swimming in the sea, they swam to the island, then climbed barefoot to the hill and were impressed by the view.
According to her account, the family discovered the area not during a planned inspection but during a break at sea.
Environmentalists' concerns grow
Protesters worry that the coastline, which has remained largely pristine due to Albania being closed off for a long time, will fall into the hands of powerful investors. During the demonstrations, cardboard models of pink flamingos, a protected migratory bird species, were also carried.
Environmental groups argue that the project is criticized together with organizations from different parts of Europe and that habitats under protection for a long time could be irreversibly damaged.
Images also showed an activist being dragged by a private security guard during the protest. This footage further increased public reaction.
Construction equipment entered the site
Since the end of May, excavators and other heavy machinery have entered the site, opened access roads, excavated on sandy ground, cleared areas among pine trees, and erected environmental fencing.
These activities have further fueled the debate about the fate of the protected natural area.
Investigation and ownership dispute
Albania's state anti-corruption agency confirmed that an investigation related to the project has been opened but did not share details. The government says the land allocated for the project is private property.
However, objections about how the privatization process was conducted have also arisen. Such disputes are common legal debates in the country.
Prime Minister Rama supports the project
Long-serving Socialist Prime Minister Edi Rama openly expresses his support for the investment. Rama said Albania should not shy away from such an extraordinary project and argued that the 4 billion euro investment brings special partnerships to the country.
Rama also stated that as long as he is in office, there is no possibility of stopping this investment.
Serbia case is recalled
The initiative in Albania has also brought back developments around a similar investment in Serbia. In November, the Serbian parliament passed a special law for a luxury complex in the capital Belgrade.
The following month, the prosecutor's office charged four people, including a government minister, with abuse of office and document forgery. During this process, which was the focus of the investigation, it was noted that the investment company linked to Kushner later withdrew from the planned project.
The project in Albania is now being debated both over environmental concerns and the impact of large capital investments on the coastline. The growing protests have made the tension between the country's tourism goals and nature conservation more visible.
