Thousands of protesters have taken to the streets of Tirana and other parts of southern Albania to oppose the construction of a $1.6 billion luxury resort backed by Jared Kushner, son-in-law of former US President Donald Trump. The development, planned near the village of Zvërnec along the Adriatic coast, has ignited environmental and civic concerns due to its location within a protected marine national park known for its unique biodiversity.
The resort project, managed by Sazan Real Estate Development LLC in partnership with Kushner’s investment firm Affinity Partners, aims to create a large-scale complex on and around Sazan Island, Albania’s only island. The area includes wetlands, ancient dunes, Mediterranean pine forests, and coastal habitats that serve as refuge for endangered species such as the Mediterranean monk seal, flamingos, Dalmatian pelicans, and sea turtles. BirdLife International has highlighted the site’s significance as home to more than 200 bird species, many of them threatened.
Opponents, including leading environmental groups like the Protection and Preservation of Natural Environment in Albania (PPNEA), have criticized the development for its apparent lack of transparency and public consultation. Aleksander Trajce, PPNEA’s executive director, described the process as a “complete collapse of rule of law,” citing the rapid start of construction activities without public permits or adequate environmental impact assessments. Protests have been fueled further by the erection of fencing, deployment of security personnel, and use of heavy machinery that has caused damage to the natural landscape and restricted access for local land users.
Environmentalists and locals have expressed alarm that the project would transform a protected wilderness into a densely built resort, potentially endangering one of the Mediterranean’s last relatively untouched coastal habitats. Joni Vorpsi, a bird ecologist involved in the protests, described the plan as a “new city” with approximately 10,000 hotel rooms that would “completely destroy that wild region.”
Prime Minister Edi Rama, a socialist leader who won a third term last year with an agenda of modernizing Albania and securing European Union membership by 2030, has strongly defended the project. He views it as a crucial step in shifting Albania from its Stalinist past toward becoming a high-end tourist destination. Rama has indicated that the investment will proceed and rejected calls to halt it, emphasizing the country’s need to maintain a pro-investment stance and avoid developing a reputation for hostility toward foreign investors. He also proposed talks with protesters but maintained there would be no stopping the project during his tenure.
In response to the controversy, Albania’s special anti-corruption prosecution agency has opened an investigation into recent legislative amendments concerning protected areas, which critics argue facilitated the resort’s approval. Developers have pledged to proceed with “responsible stewardship” and to create local employment and value, while respecting ongoing institutional processes.
The dispute reflects broader tensions in the Balkans between attracting foreign investment and preserving environmental and community interests. Kushner’s firm previously abandoned another high-profile project in Serbia following public protests. The ongoing debate in Albania highlights the challenges faced by emerging economies balancing economic development with conservation and social considerations.