Albanians protest $1.6B Jared Kushner-backed resort in protected area

Thousands of Albanians demonstrated in Tirana for the third consecutive day to oppose a $1.6 billion luxury resort project backed by Jared Kushner, Donald Trump’s son-in-law. The development, located in the Karaburun-Sazan Marine Park off Albania’s Adriatic coast, has sparked outrage over environmental concerns, particularly on Sazan Island, where construction recently began. Protesters held inflatable flamingos to symbolize the threat to the Mediterranean’s most vulnerable ecosystems, including wetlands and coastal habitats. Scuffles erupted between demonstrators and police, who responded with water cannons. Prime Minister Edi Rama’s offer to meet with opponents was rejected, with calls to halt the project growing louder, including planned protests in southern Albania. Environmental groups, such as Protection and Preservation of the Natural Environment in Albania, accuse authorities of lacking transparency, citing no public consultation or documentation on permits. Aleksandr Trajce, the organization’s executive director, demanded the removal of construction equipment and restoration of habitats before further discussions. Kushner reportedly discovered the site during a vacation in Albania with his wife, Ivanka Trump, describing the island’s beauty in past interviews. The resort is being developed by Sazan Real Estate Development in partnership with Kushner’s investment firm, Affinity Partners. Despite environmental warnings, the developers insist on sustainable practices, emphasizing job creation and long-term value for local communities. BirdLife International highlighted the park’s ecological significance, noting it as a critical habitat for endangered species like Mediterranean monk seals, flamingos, and Dalmatian pelicans, along with 200 other bird species. The project’s opponents argue the development risks irreversible damage to this fragile ecosystem, one of the last strongholds for these species in the region.