TIRANA, Albania — Protesters clashed with police in Albania’s capital this week over a planned luxury resort development backed by Jared Kushner’s investment firm on an environmentally sensitive stretch of the Adriatic coast, officials and demonstrators said.
Thousands of Albanians have taken to the streets of Tirana in recent days against the project, which involves Kushner’s Affinity Partners and targets areas including the uninhabited Sazan Island and wetlands near the Vjosa-Narta protected landscape, according to local authorities and news reports.
The €1.4 billion ($1.6 billion) development on Sazan and a larger associated project on the mainland have drawn criticism from environmental groups concerned about potential damage to habitats for flamingos, Mediterranean monk seals and sea turtles.
Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama has defended the investment, saying it would bring jobs and economic benefits to the country. Protests continued into the weekend, with demonstrators carrying signs reading “Albania is not for sale” and inflatable flamingos symbolizing environmental concerns.
Kushner’s firm is involved through a partnership with local developers, including Atlantic Incubation Partners LLC or Sazan Real Estate Development LLC. Ivanka Trump, Kushner’s wife, visited the site earlier this year with architects.
“Asher Abehsera, chair of Sazan Real Estate Development LLC, said in a statement: ‘Our focus remains on responsible stewardship, environmental enhancement, job creation and creating long-term value for local communities. We respect the ongoing public and institutional processes.’”
The Albanian government granted the project strategic investor status, allowing for faster approvals. An anti-corruption agency has opened an investigation into aspects of the land deals, though details remain unclear, according to reports.
Environmental opponents argue that construction has already begun in protected areas, raising fears of irreversible damage. Protesters have rejected offers from the prime minister to discuss solutions and called for the project to be halted.
Rama has insisted the development will position Albania as a major tourism destination. He reportedly stated that the investment would not stop as long as he remains in office.
The protests, sometimes dubbed the “Flamingo Revolution,” reflect broader frustrations with government transparency and environmental protection in one of Europe’s poorer countries. Clashes with police using water cannons were reported during some demonstrations.
As of Saturday, protests continued, with both sides maintaining their positions. Details on the exact status of construction and the full scope of the investment remained subject to ongoing discussions.
