Protests in Albania have escalated significantly, with demonstrators calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama and opposition leader Sali Berisha. This unrest has been sparked by the controversial luxury tourist project developed by business investors, including Jared Kushner, son-in-law of former U.S. President Donald Trump.
The multi-billion euro project proposes the construction of hotels on Sazan Island and near the protected Vjosa-Narta wetlands, which serve as habitats for flamingos, seals, and turtles. Protesters are not only demanding the halt of this development but also the establishment of a technocrat government.
Demonstrations have gained momentum over the past three weeks, intensifying following the clearing of forested areas and dunes for construction in protected regions. On Monday, marking the 23rd day of protests, crowds gathered outside the Prime Minister’s offices, chanting slogans such as “Rama ik” (Rama, resign!).
Weekend protests saw tens of thousands of Albanians, some from the diaspora, filling the streets of Tirana, expressing their desire for “a new Albania” and calling for the resignation of Berisha, whom they accuse of past corruption. Protesters have voiced anger over what they perceive as government favoritism towards foreign investors and weakened environmental protections.
Widespread Public Anger
Demonstrations have become one of the most significant expressions of public discontent in Albania since the fall of communism in the early 1990s. In a recent incident in Kakome, southern Albania, protesters stormed an abandoned construction site, overturning containers and equipment in a show of defiance.
The luxury resort project in Kakome, although not directly linked to Kushner, symbolizes ongoing disputes over land ownership and real estate development, representing a broader struggle between investors and local communities.
Background of Unrest
The current wave of protests began after bulldozers started clearing forest areas for construction, raising tensions among locals. The Pishë Poro-Narta reserve, home to one of Europe’s last wild rivers, is a vital migratory route for hundreds of rare bird species and over 70 endangered species.
There have been confrontations between protesters and private security forces at development sites, with reports of locals being forcibly removed from their land. Police have opted not to intervene during these clashes.
Trump Family’s Involvement
In a podcast, Ivanka Trump expressed excitement about the ambitious development plans for Sazan Island, a former Soviet military base now marked with abandoned buildings. She described the location as having great potential, with a beautiful lagoon on one side and the ocean on the other.
The project received preliminary approval after amendments were made to Albania’s strict environmental protection laws, although there is no evidence linking Kushner to these legal changes. Critics have claimed that the identities of the investors behind the project remain obscured behind a complex Dutch shell company.
Prime Minister’s Response
Prime Minister Edi Rama has openly dismissed allegations of his involvement in the project’s approval, telling protesters in a recent interview, “Fuck you.” He has asserted that it is not his responsibility to prove he is not behind illicit activities, rather, it is up to the protesters to prove their claims.
Complications have arisen as Albanian authorities investigate a businessman previously involved with land in the area designated for Kushner’s development. Prosecutors have issued arrest warrants for 20 business figures suspected of drug trafficking and money laundering related to major construction projects along the Adriatic coast. Among those targeted is Artur Shehu, a dual American-Albanian citizen.
Rama has reiterated that the Kushner family’s investments are legal and have no connection to the ongoing corruption investigation. He accused protest instigators of being enemies of Trump, claiming that negative attention towards the project stems from hatred towards the former U.S. president.
