Thousands of protesters have taken to the streets in Tirana and along Albania's southern coast to oppose a luxury resort project tied to Jared Kushner's investment firm Affinity Partners. The protests began in late May 2026 and intensified with large demonstrations on June 5, continuing through June 8. Protesters carried pink flamingo symbols and chanted slogans such as "Albania is not for sale," criticizing the project’s potential damage to protected natural sites [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8].

The resort is planned for Sazan Island, a former communist military base, and the nearby Zvernec Peninsula adjacent to the Narta Lagoon, a protected coastal wetland noted for its importance to migratory birds including flamingos, seals, and sea turtle nesting sites [1, 2, 9, 4, 5, 6, 7]. Environmental concerns lie at the heart of the protests, with critics warning the construction threatens endangered species and pristine ecosystems [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7]. Besjana Shehu, a conservationist, said the conflict “is not simply a local dispute over a fence, a road or a construction site, but also about how [the area] is protected and managed” [4].

Designed as a €1.4 billion ($1.6 billion) investment, some estimates put the total project value at over €4 billion ($4.6 billion), with projected creation of more than 10,000 jobs, according to various sources [1, 2, 3, 10, 9, 4, 5, 6, 7]. Prime Minister Edi Rama and the Albanian government have backed the plan, calling it a strategic move to boost the economy and elevate Albania’s tourism profile. Rama told supporters, “I was voted in to make these things happen. I’m not voted to be led by people that have a different idea of how to develop the country” [10].

Developers and Kushner’s business partner emphasize the project’s aim of “responsible stewardship” and environmental enhancement while generating local jobs and value [1, 2]. Albanian officials cite ongoing environmental impact assessments and adherence to national law alongside European directives to protect the wetland habitat [2]. However, protesters remain skeptical, questioning the transparency of land concessions and citing Albania’s fraught history with land ownership [1, 4, 5, 6, 7].

Construction at the Narta Lagoon site began in late May 2026. Activists who attempted to intervene were forcibly removed by security guards, fueling public outrage and broader solidarity protests [3, 4, 5, 6, 7]. Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump have reportedly promoted the project after visiting the site, with Ivanka referring to Sazan Island as a "private island" they "discovered," aggravating opposition sentiment [9, 8].

Lindita Komani, a protester, said, “Albania belongs to the Albanian people and we decide what we want to do here. It’s not that some corrupt politicians…can decide what they can do with our property, with the Albanian heritage, the natural heritage, a cultural heritage” [2].

Prime Minister Rama reaffirmed his commitment on June 8, saying parts of the resort could open before 2030 despite the protests [10].