Key facts
- Thousands of Albanians protested a planned luxury resort by Affinity Partners, linked to Jared Kushner.
- The resort is planned near the Vjosa-Narta protected area, a wetland habitat.
- Protesters and environmentalists argue the project will harm beaches and wildlife.
- Albanian officials stated environmental impact assessments are being drafted.
- The project must comply with environmental legislation and safeguard local habitats.
Thousands of Albanians protested a planned luxury resort by Jared Kushner's Affinity Partners near the Vjosa-Narta protected area. The €1.4 billion ($1.6 billion) project is planned on an island off Albania and an undeveloped stretch of coastline. Environmentalists argue the development would affect hundreds of hectares of pristine beaches and harm thousands of flamingos that nest and pass through the area annually. Protests, initially local, escalated to large demonstrations in Tirana. Protesters chanted "revolution" and "stop the project," with one placard reading "Edi Rama, resign." Prime Minister Rama has defended the project, while developers stated their focus is "responsible stewardship and environmental enhancement." Minister Delina Ibrahimaj confirmed that environmental impact assessments are being drafted and that the project must comply with environmental legislation and safeguard local habitats, including European environmental directives and Albanian law.