Trump's son-in-law's multibillion tourism project in the Balkans sparks street protests. “Albania is not for sale”
A luxury tourism project worth approximately 4 billion dollars, associated with Ivanka Trump, the daughter of US President Donald Trump, and her husband, Jared Kushner, has caused protests in Albania, where the demonstrators accuse the authorities of allowing the development of extensive constructions in protected areas and warn of the impact on the environment, reports Anadolu, taken over by Agerpres.
Thousands of protesters gathered in the capital Tirana on Tuesday under the slogan “Albania is not for sale”, marching from Skanderbeg Square to the prime minister's office to oppose plans for tourism development in the Zvernec area, located near the coastal city of Vlora, according to local media.
A project spread over 250 hectares
Participants carried banners and placards demanding the protection of ecologically sensitive areas and opposing construction activities in protected areas.
The controversy concerns the plans to transform the island of Sazan and parts of the lagoon ecosystem and the Narta-Zvernec wetlands into a luxury tourist destination. The project, valued at approximately $4 billion, would include approximately 618 acres (approximately 250 hectares) of the protected coastal ecosystem.
The project is promoted by Jared Kushner's investment company and benefits from the support of the Albanian government.
Environmental organizations and local activists say the project could affect one of Albania's most ecologically sensitive coastal regions and properties owned by families belonging to the area's Greek minority.
Support from Prime Minister Edi Rama
Tensions escalated during weekend demonstrations at the proposed project site, where altercations were reported between protesters and staff from a private security firm guarding the area.
The project has also become a political issue, with protesters demanding the resignation of Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama and accusing his government of facilitating the development through legislative changes adopted in 2024 regarding protected areas.
Edi Rama defended the initiative, stating that the project is carried out in accordance with legal and environmental protection requirements.
The Albanian government is promoting investment in luxury tourism as part of a broader strategy to attract foreign capital and expand the country's high-end tourism sector.
