A massive protest took place in the capital of Albania against the construction of an elite resort linked to Jared Kushner — son-in-law of U.S. President Donald Trump. Participants are concerned about environmental damage and demand an investigation into the origin of the funds used to purchase the land.
In Tirana, thousands of people took to the streets demanding the halt of a large-scale tourism project linked to the family of U.S. President Donald Trump.
Participants of the rally chanted "Cancel the project!" and "Albania is not for sale," while holding banners addressed to Ivanka Trump — wife of Jared Kushner and daughter of the American president.
The protests were sparked by plans to build hotel complexes on Sazan Island and in the protected natural area of Vjosa-Narta near the city of Vlorë. The project has been controversial for several months. Critics argue that large-scale construction could cause serious damage to the region's ecosystem and affect areas with environmental protection status.
Additional attention to the situation was drawn by a statement from the Special Prosecutor's Office of Albania for the fight against corruption and organized crime. On Tuesday, the agency announced the start of an investigation related to the origin of the funds used to purchase the land and their subsequent sale to investors.
It has not yet been officially confirmed that the disputed plots belong to companies linked to Kushner. However, he was the one who presented the authorities of Albania with the development concept for this area two years ago.
According to the plan, the uninhabited Sazan Island, which housed a secret military base during the communist regime, is set to become an elite international-level resort. The project's cost is estimated at around €1.4 billion.
Opposition to the construction comes not only from local residents. Earlier this year, around forty environmental organizations demanded the abandonment of the project, warning of potential consequences for the region's biodiversity.
Amid growing discontent, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama proposed that the protesters form a delegation to negotiate with the authorities. However, the participants of the rally rejected this proposal and stated that they intend to continue the protests. A new demonstration is already scheduled for Wednesday.
The situation surrounding the project is gradually turning into one of the most notable political and environmental discussions in Albania in recent months.
