Albanians protesting against a vast luxury development linked to Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump are defending more than a protected coastline. They are demanding the right to decide how their country develops, who benefits from its natural wealth and whether political connections can place powerful investors above environmental safeguards.
The demonstrations in Tirana began nearly two months ago in opposition to plans for hotels, apartments, villas and a marina on Albania’s Adriatic coast.
Jared Kushner is Donald Trump’s son-in-law, while Ivanka Trump is the US president’s daughter. Kushner’s investment firm, Affinity Partners, has been linked to the proposed development, which includes land near the protected Vjosa-Narta wetlands and a smaller resort on the formerly military island of Sazan.
The coastal project near Zvërnec has been valued at approximately €1.4 billion and could eventually contain thousands of hotel rooms and residences.
The flamingo revolution
Protesters have adopted the pink flamingo as the symbol of their movement. The protected wetlands are an important habitat for flamingos, migratory birds, seals and nesting sea turtles.
Under the slogan “Albania is not for sale”, demonstrators have carried flamingo models through Tirana and gathered outside parliament and the office of Prime Minister Edi Rama.
What began as an environmental campaign has developed into a broader protest against corruption, opaque government decisions and an economic system many Albanians believe benefits politically connected investors while ordinary citizens struggle with low wages and inadequate public services.
Most demonstrations have been peaceful, although recent protests have produced clashes. Police in riot equipment have used tear gas, pepper spray and water cannon, while some demonstrators have thrown eggs, bottles and other objects.
The use of force should not distract from the legitimate questions at the centre of the movement.
Development without consent
Albanians are not protesting because they oppose tourism, employment or foreign investment. They are protesting because development without transparency, legal certainty or public consent is not progress.
Environmental organisations argue that construction would cause irreversible damage to dunes, pine forests and wetlands that belong to Albania’s natural heritage. Heavy machinery and fencing have already appeared at parts of the proposed site, restricting access and increasing public anger.
There are also unresolved questions surrounding land ownership and the procedures used to transfer property. Albania’s special anti-corruption prosecutors have opened an investigation concerning money used to acquire land titles and their subsequent sale to investors.
No conclusion has yet been reached, and the investigation does not establish wrongdoing by Kushner or Ivanka Trump. It does, however, strengthen the argument that construction should be suspended until the legal and financial questions have been fully examined.
A government must protect its country
Prime Minister Rama insists that the resort will transform Albania into a high-end tourism destination and has said the development will not be stopped while he remains in office.
That position misunderstands the responsibility of government. Albania’s coastline is not an empty asset waiting to be handed to whoever promises the largest investment. It is part of the country’s history, ecology and future.
The protesters are right to demand transparency, environmental protection and equal treatment under the law. Albania deserves investment—but not at the cost of its protected landscapes, its citizens’ property rights or its national dignity.
Newshub Editorial in Europe – 25 July 2026
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