Key facts
- Thousands of Albanians protested a planned luxury resort development.
- The planned resort is linked to Jared Kushner's firm Affinity Partners.
- The project is valued at €1.4 billion.
- The resort is planned near the Vjosa-Narta protected area.
- Environmentalists warn of significant impact on beaches and a protected wetland.
- Prime Minister Edi Rama defends the project.
- The government awaits environmental assessments.
Thousands of Albanians have protested a planned luxury resort development valued at €1.4 billion, linked to Jared Kushner's firm Affinity Partners. The proposed resort is situated near the Vjosa-Narta protected area, a pristine coastline featuring beaches and a wetland. Environmentalists have raised significant concerns about the potential impact of the development on this protected natural area. They warn of substantial threats to the wetland ecosystem and the surrounding beaches. The Albanian government, led by Prime Minister Edi Rama, is defending the project, emphasizing its role as an investment. The government awaits the results of environmental assessments before proceeding further. The protests highlight a tension between economic development and environmental preservation in the region.