Police officers block a street during a demonstration in Tirana, Albania, on June 3, 2026. The protestors oppose a luxury coastal development project linked to Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump due to concerns about environmental impacts and transparency.
The ambitious development project, associated with Jared Kushner, has sparked significant resistance from protestors in Albania. Authorities claim the project on the Adriatic coast could transform the nation as it seeks to expand its high-end tourism market and pursue European Union membership.
Opposition to Coastal Development
The project is set to cover an abandoned island and a nearby seafront on Albania’s southern coast. Environmental activists and critics of Socialist Prime Minister Edi Rama oppose it. Kushner and Ivanka Trump identified the location during a hike. In an interview with podcaster David Senra, Ivanka Trump mentioned finding the site by accident while on a friend’s boat.
The planned luxury development includes a coastal development in Narta Lagoon, a wildlife reserve, and a smaller resort on the uninhabited island of Sazan, a former military base. The development will feature hotels, apartments, villas, and a marina. An investment firm linked to Kushner has been granted special investor status by Albanian authorities.
Environmental Concerns and Public Protest
Albania, with its 450 kilometers of coastline, largely remained undeveloped during its communist era. Protesters worry that these pristine areas could be overtaken by influential investors. Public outrage intensified when a video surfaced showing an activist being manhandled by a security guard at the site.
The area, one of Albania’s most valuable biodiversity zones, serves as an important habitat for migratory birds along the Adriatic coast. Protests in Tirana featured cardboard cut-outs of pink flamingos, symbolizing the protected bird species threatened by the development. Environmental groups have condemned the work, claiming long-protected habitats face irreversible destruction.
Legal Disputes and Government Stance
Albania’s anti-corruption agency confirmed an investigation related to the project but withheld details. The government maintains the land is privately owned, although conflicting claims about privatization have surfaced.
Prime Minister Rama supports the venture, asserting it aligns with Albania’s goal of becoming a prominent global tourism destination. He insists the investment, valued at 4 billion euros, will proceed under his leadership despite opposition.
Previous Similar Ventures
A similar project in Serbia faced significant challenges. The Serbian Parliament passed a law to facilitate a luxury complex linked to Kushner in Belgrade. However, subsequent legal issues, including charges against officials for document falsification, led Kushner to withdraw from the investment.
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