Key facts
- Thousands of Albanians protested a luxury resort project linked to Jared Kushner's Affinity Partners.
- The €1.4 billion ($1.6 billion) resort is planned near the Vjosa-Narta protected area.
- Environmental groups warn the project threatens the fragile ecosystem and wildlife.
- The Albanian government is defending the investment and states environmental assessments are underway.
- Protesters chanted 'Albania is not for sale' and demanded the project stop.
Thousands of Albanians protested a planned luxury resort project linked to Jared Kushner's investment firm, Affinity Partners. The €1.4 billion ($1.6 billion) development is slated for an undeveloped stretch of coastline near the Vjosa-Narta protected area, a wetland habitat for flamingos, seals, and sea turtle nesting sites. Environmentalists and locals oppose the project, citing threats to hundreds of hectares of pristine beaches and thousands of flamingos, with more than 1% of the global flamingo population in Albania. Protesters gathered outside the Prime Minister's office, chanting 'Albania is not for sale' and demanding the project stop. Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama and Economy Minister Delina Ibrahimaj defend the investment for economic growth, stating that environmental impact assessments are being drafted and the project must comply with environmental legislation. Kushner's firm previously abandoned a project in Serbia after protests.