Albania: Tens of Thousands Protest Against Luxury Construction Project Linked to Trump

Tirana – 25.06.2026: In recent weeks, tens of thousands of people in Albania have protested against a planned luxury resort on the Adriatic coast that has connections to the family of US President Donald Trump. The protests focus on the project’s impact on protected nature reserves and accuse the government of corruption.

The trigger for the demonstrations is a multi-billion euro construction project in the Narta Lagoon, an ecologically sensitive area southwest of the capital Tirana. The project is being advanced by a company linked to Jared Kushner, Donald Trump’s son-in-law. Critics fear that building a luxury resort in this area could destroy the environment and affect habitats of protected bird species.

The Albanian government under Prime Minister Edi Rama defends the project and emphasizes the potential economic benefits. Rama argues that tourism is an important source of income for the country and that the resort would contribute to job creation and promote economic growth.

Despite these arguments, protests in Albania have intensified. Demonstrators accuse the government of corruption and call for Prime Minister Rama’s resignation. The opposition criticizes the government for its handling of the protests and accuses it of failing to address the country’s political and economic problems.

In response to the ongoing protests, the European Parliament has called on Albanian authorities to impose a moratorium on new permits and construction work in protected areas. Members of the Parliament expressed deep concern over recent developments in the Narta Lagoon and demanded the repeal of legal amendments enabling large-scale tourism infrastructure development in these areas.

Prime Minister Rama has described the protests as part of a “hybrid war” and claimed that public outrage is fueled by misinformation and external influences. He emphasized that the government remains committed to the project and does not plan to back down.

The situation in Albania remains tense as protests continue and both the government and demonstrators maintain their positions. The international community is closely monitoring the developments, particularly regarding environmental impacts and political tensions in the country.

The ongoing protests in Albania raise questions about balancing economic development and environmental protection. The debates around the planned luxury resort in the Narta Lagoon reflect the challenges many countries face in reconciling economic interests with the preservation of natural resources.