Massive crowds filled the streets of Albania’s capital city Thursday evening in the week’s largest demonstration against a proposed $1.6 billion luxury development connected to Jared Kushner’s investment company near an ecologically important section of the Adriatic coastline.
Kushner’s investment firm Affinity Partners is spearheading the massive project, which would span an Albanian island and an undeveloped coastal area adjacent to the Vjosa-Narta protected region. This southern wetland serves as crucial habitat for flamingos, seals and nesting sea turtles.
Environmental advocates are fighting the development, arguing it would impact several hundred hectares of unspoiled beaches and disrupt thousands of flamingos that breed and migrate through the region annually.
Construction preparation and heavy equipment arriving at the Vjosa-Narta location sparked local demonstrations last week, which escalated into major street rallies in the capital city.
Demonstrators assembled once more outside Albania’s Prime Minister Edi Rama’s office Thursday evening, carrying pink inflatable flamingos while shouting “revolution” and “stop the project.” One sign demanded: “Edi Rama, resign.”
“Albania is not for sale. Albania belongs to the Albanian people and we decide what we want to do here. It’s not that some corrupt politicians who run Albania can decide what they can do with our property, with the Albanian heritage, the natural heritage, a cultural heritage,” said Lindita Komani, a writer who joined the protests.
Prime Minister Rama has supported the development. Project developers have stated their commitment to “responsible stewardship and environmental enhancement.”
Albania’s Economy and Innovation Minister Delina Ibrahimaj announced Thursday that environmental impact studies are currently being prepared for the proposed development, which must fully meet environmental regulations and protect local ecosystems.
She noted that European environmental standards and Albanian legislation offer legal protections against developments that could damage the protected lagoon and surrounding wildlife areas, according to Albania’s state news agency ATA.
Kushner revealed plans for the resort development in 2024 as part of a broader investment portfolio that also involved a former military facility in Belgrade, Serbia’s capital. He abandoned the Serbian project last year after facing public demonstrations.
