Thousands of Albanians staged large demonstrations in Tirana against the construction of a luxury resort backed by an investment firm linked to Jared Kushner. The project, valued at €1.4 billion, aims to develop a mostly untouched stretch of coastline adjacent to the Vjosa-Narta protected wetland in southern Albania, home to flamingos, seals, and sea turtle nesting sites.
The protests intensified after heavy machinery arrived on-site for groundwork, sparking widespread concern among environmentalists and local residents. Many fear the development would destroy several hundred hectares of pristine beaches and disrupt the habitat of thousands of flamingos that use the area annually. According to ornithologist Ledi Selgjekaj, over 1% of the global flamingo population resides in Albania, underlining the ecological significance of the site.
Protesters rallied outside the Albanian Prime Minister’s office, carrying pink inflatable flamingos and chanting slogans demanding a halt to the project. Participants emphasized that Albania’s natural and cultural heritage should be protected from decisions driven by political and financial interests. One demonstrator called on the government to respect the wishes of the Albanian people rather than allowing corrupt politicians to exploit the country’s assets.
Despite the backlash, Prime Minister Edi Rama has defended the development. Project developers pledge to practice “responsible stewardship and environmental enhancement.” The Economy and Innovation Minister, Delina Ibrahimaj, stated that comprehensive environmental impact assessments are in progress. She assured that the investment must adhere strictly to Albanian environmental laws as well as EU directives designed to protect the lagoon and surrounding habitats.
Kushner announced the resort plan in 2024 as part of a broader investment strategy that initially included a separate project in Belgrade, Serbia. That prior venture was abandoned last year following protests similar to those now unfolding in Albania.