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- October 13, 202619°
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- USD49.220.00%
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- INTEREST37.00%-1.00
- BITCOIN82,825-1.01%
- October 13, 202619°
Protest Against Kushner-Linked Project Grows in Albania
Protests are growing against the luxury holiday village project planned in the protected Narta Lagoon area in Albania, linked to Jared Kushner...
In Albania, opposition to the luxury holiday village project linked to Jared Kushner is growing. Thousands gathered in front of the Prime Ministry building in the capital Tirana on Monday and Tuesday to protest the planned investment.
Protesters chanted the slogan "Albania is not for sale." The demonstrations demanded the cancellation of the project, the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama, and an end to the transfer of public and private assets to government-affiliated interest groups.
Highlights
- At the center of the protests is a private investment planned in the protected Narta Lagoon area in southern Albania.
- The project is associated with Jared Kushner, son-in-law of U.S. President Donald Trump.
- Protesters oppose the project due to environmental damage and disregard for public interest.
- Tensions increased last week following clashes between private security guards and protesters on site.
- Accusations were made that police did not intervene at the scene.
Objection to the protected area
The project has long drawn criticism from environmental groups, activists, and some locals for threatening the sensitive ecosystem of the Narta Lagoon. The area is considered one of Albania's most important protected coastal zones.
One development that intensified objections was the allegation that private security guards attacked protesters last week. During the same period, the company reportedly fenced off the land and beach access with barbed wire as part of construction preparations. Police present at the scene were accused of failing to intervene.
Kushner’s plan and Rama’s defense
Kushner had announced plans to transform this area into a luxury holiday village in 2024 through the private equity firm Affinity Partners. It was also noted that he visited the area earlier this year with his wife Ivanka.
Prime Minister Edi Rama openly defends the project. Rama states that there is no official project yet and that the investing company is continuing the environmental assessment process.
On Monday, Rama praised the proposed development plan in Zvernec as part of a "select tourism" vision. On the same day, he made a personal attack against writer and political analyst Fatos Lubonja.
Harsh accusations in protests
Speaking at Saturday’s protest, Fatos Lubonja accused Rama of protecting the interests of organized crime and oligarchic networks instead of the public good. Lubonja described Rama’s defense as "ridiculous," arguing that the prime minister is directly involved in the project.
Lubonja also said that Rama had not faced protesters directly before. According to him, the prime minister takes a tough stance because he believes he is the driving force behind these projects and that no one around him is influential enough to turn black into white.
Political science lecturer Ermal Hasimja stated that the main issue is the lack of transparency. Hasimja said Kushner’s involvement is clear and public, but the lack of clear information about other investors has fueled the debate.
He also noted that years of legal changes have gradually weakened environmental protections, paving the way for such projects. Thus, the discussion has expanded beyond a single investment to focus on the future of protected areas and transparency in decision-making processes.
Debate on land, environment, and power
Together Movement leader Arlind Qori argued that Rama’s role in the project shows him intertwined with domestic and foreign oligarchic interests. According to Qori, the Zvernec project serves the oligarchs, corrupt officials, and Rama’s desire to maintain power more than the welfare of the Albanian people.
Qori accused the government of destroying protected areas and public assets, and harming the rights of small and legitimate landowners in Zvernec and across the country. Thus, the protests have gone beyond a holiday village plan to simultaneously raise issues of environment, property, and public administration.
Context: The debate over the Narta Lagoon highlights ongoing tensions in Albania between tourism investments and environmental protection. The recent protests have reopened questions about who benefits from and how investments are conducted, as well as how public interest is preserved in protected coastal areas.
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