Albania Not for Sale! Protests Erupt in Tirana Over Trump-Linked Mega-Project
Translated from French, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- Thousands protested in Tirana against a $4 billion luxury hotel project on Sazan Island and a protected coastline.
- Protesters, under the slogan "Albania is not for sale!", demand the halt of the development linked to Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner.
- The project faces strong criticism for its environmental impact and lack of transparency, posing a political challenge to the Albanian government.
Thousands of Albanians took to the streets of Tirana for the fifth consecutive day, protesting a massive $4 billion luxury hotel project planned for the uninhabited island of Sazan and a protected stretch of the Albanian coast. Under the defiant slogan "Albania is not for sale!", demonstrators gathered outside the Prime Minister's office, demanding the immediate halt of the development.
The project, linked to Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared Kushner through their company, has drawn fierce criticism. Concerns center on its significant environmental impact and a perceived lack of transparency in its planning and execution. The scale of the opposition has reportedly become politically explosive for the Albanian government.
Protesters argue that the development threatens the natural beauty and ecological balance of the area. The demonstration highlights a growing tension between foreign investment and national environmental concerns, with citizens demanding greater accountability and protection for their natural resources.
Albania is not for sale!
Originally published by Le Temps in French. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.