Albanian Protests Target Jared Kushner's Proposed Adriatic Luxury Resort Development
Nightly rallies in Albania's capital, Tirana, have specifically targeted US President Donald Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, and the Socialist Party government. The focal point of public anger is a proposed tourism project on Albania's Adriatic coast, in which Kushner's Affinity Partners is a stated investor.
Protesters, distinct from mainstream opposition groups, have adopted a pink flamingo as their emblem. This symbol directly references their primary concern: the threat posed by the development on Sazan island and a site at Zvernec to flamingos, a protected species, and other biodiversity within the designated wetlands area. Ecologists from PPNEA-BirdLife Albania warn that the proposed project, described as a new city with approximately 10,000 rooms, would "completely destroy that wild region."
Beyond environmental degradation, public discontent centres on a perceived lack of transparency surrounding Affinity Partners' involvement, with negotiations reportedly dating back to 2024. Placards at the demonstrations declare Albania is "not for sale," highlighting objections to the concession of land to foreign developers. While the government maintains the land is privately owned and acquired transparently, critics point to Albania's history of chaotic ownership claims following post-communist privatisation.
Prime Minister Edi Rama has dismissed protesters as "misinformed" but "well-meaning," asserting the project represents a €4 billion investment, promising substantial job creation and infrastructure improvements. Rama has also framed the protests as a "hybrid war," alleging regional rivals, particularly Greece, are orchestrating the unrest to undermine Albania's burgeoning tourism sector.
This situation echoes a prior controversy for Kushner in the Balkans. A plan for a Trump International Hotel in Belgrade faced significant opposition, with the arrest of a government minister for abuse of office in connection with the project ultimately leading to Kushner's withdrawal earlier this year. Despite reassurances from Kushner's business partner, Asher Abehsera, regarding "responsible stewardship" and environmental preservation, protesters in Albania remain unconvinced, indicating sustained opposition.
