Trump family project sparks protests in Albania

Tirana, Albania – Protests in the Albanian capital have entered their 42nd consecutive day, with thousands demanding Prime Minister Edi Rama's resignation. Demonstrators are also condemning a luxury tourism project associated with the family of former U.S. President Donald Trump, alongside their disapproval of a concert by American rapper Kanye West.

Protesters chanted slogans against both the prime minister and West, who met Rama before his performance. Rama shared a video clip from the concert on social media.

The core of the opposition lies in the planned construction of a $4.6 billion luxury hotel in the protected Zvernec area. Critics argue the project threatens the environment. The plan also involves transforming Sazan Island, a former military base, into a high-end tourist destination.

The controversy surrounding the project has fueled broader protests, now calling for the prime minister's resignation. Accusations of suspicious land acquisitions, where property values allegedly surged from 5.5 million euros to 122 million euros in a few months, have intensified public anger. The Public Prosecutor's Office for Corruption and Organized Crime has launched an investigation into the land ownership transfers and the legality of the project's procedures.