"Ivanka, go home": Albanians protest Trump luxury projects

Thousands of Albanians have taken to the streets in Tirana to protest two controversial luxury tourism projects on the country's coast, which are linked to the family of former U.S. President Donald Trump. The demonstrations highlight growing concerns over the environmental impact of these developments.

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The tension increased on May 31 when private security guards clashed with protesters in Zvernec, where they were attempting to access a beach fenced off with barbed wire.

The projects are planned for the Vjosa-Narta wetlands, a protected area near Zvernec, and Sazan Island, a site used for military facilities during the communist era. The developments are associated with Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump through their Miami-based investment firm, Affinity Partners. Their Qatari partners, Moutaz and Ramez Al-Khayyat, have acquired beachfront land in the Zvernec area, confirming the initiative with Affinity Partners.

In 2024, the Albanian government granted Affinity Partners "strategic investor" status for the Sazan Island project, valued at approximately 1.4 billion euros. The Zvernec resort is expected to cost even more, estimated at over 4 billion euros. These projects come as Albania's tourism sector has seen significant growth, driven by its relatively pristine coastline.

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The Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its 'deep concern' and requested explanations from the Albanian authorities.

Protests have intensified, with demonstrators marching under the banner "Albania is not for sale" and chanting "Ivanka, go home." Tensions escalated when private security guards clashed with protesters attempting to access a fenced-off beach in Zvernec. The incident, which resulted in injuries, including to a dual Albanian-Greek citizen, prompted "deep concern" from the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Prime Minister Edi Rama condemned the clash but defended the Zvernec project, rejecting environmental criticism. The protests have broadened into a political movement, with demonstrators demanding the resignation of both Rama and opposition leader Sali Berisha.

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Prime Minister of Albania, Edi Rama, condemned what happened during a press conference held yesterday in Tirana, although he firmly defended the Zvernec project and rejected the environmental criticisms disseminated by various media.