“Albania is not for sale,” protesters chant as demonstrations against a luxury resort project backed by Kushner grow.
Published June 11, 2026
Thousands of Albanians took to the streets of the capital Tirana in the largest protest yet against a luxury resort development backed by President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner.
Demonstrators on Wednesday held placards reading “Albania is not for sale” outside Prime Minister Edi Rama’s office and chanted “New Albania” as they marched about half a mile down one of the city’s main thoroughfares.
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The project is expected to cost around 5 billion euros ($5.8 billion) and has sparked outrage in the Balkan countries because it is located near protected wetlands that are home to nesting sites for flamingos, seals and sea turtles.
Critics have also raised concerns about the lack of transparency surrounding plans developed by foreign investors.
“This is a typical example of what has been happening in Albania for the past 35 years,” protester Leand Lacroli told Reuters. “So that’s enough for today.”
The protests in the village of Zvernets on the southern coast, where the resort is planned, have been dubbed the “Flamingo Revolution” after the development site’s protected wetlands, which serve as a stopover for migratory birds.
Prime Minister Rama has sought to downplay environmental concerns, saying an environmental impact assessment has been completed and the project will proceed responsibly.
“We are very proud of what we have done for Albania’s wildlife,” he said. “The European Commission has no reason to doubt our firm will to protect everything that needs to be protected when it comes to wildlife and nature.”
EU warning
The European Union has said it could admit Albania and other Balkan states by 2030, warning that alignment with European environmental law would be a condition of membership.
“Albania should refrain from any actions that could undermine the achievement of the final standards,” EU spokesman Guillaume Mercier said. “We expect the Albanian authorities to act without delay.”
The protests are the latest test for Mr. Rama, who has been in power since 2013 and many accuse him of not rooting out rampant corruption or doing enough to improve basic services such as health care.
Prime Minister Rama said he had made progress against corruption by creating a special prosecutor’s office and launching a series of high-profile investigations.
Still, there were clashes earlier this year when demonstrators demanded the resignation of Rama’s deputy, Belinda Baruch, over corruption allegations. Rama fired Baruch, but mistrust still lingers.
“I came here to protest. To end this story of the Albanian government. It’s always the same two parties,” protester Fabio Bracaj told Reuters. “We want a new era. We want a better country.”
The resort development is the brainchild of Mr. Kushner and his wife, Ivanka Trump, who said they fell in love with Albania when they visited the country on their yacht several years ago.
Protests erupted last month after developers erected a fence around part of the Zvernec site. The fence was later removed following protests.
Rama said the project would proceed regardless.
