kushner resort — kushner resort — Albania is set to move forward with a luxury resort spearheaded by Jared Kushner, Donald Trump’s son-in-law, despite ongoing protests regarding its environmental consequences. Prime Minister Edi Rama confirmed the government’s commitment to the €1.4 billion project on a pristine stretch of the Balkan coast, dismissing the demonstrators who have taken to the streets of Tirana and the southern coast.
Protests erupted as locals expressed concerns over the impact on a protected wetland, a habitat for flamingoes, seals, and nesting sea turtles. The flamingo has become a symbol of the movement, with protesters brandishing inflatable pink birds and banners declaring a “Flamingo Revolution.”
Rama, in an interview with Reuters, asserted that the development will “stun” observers with its ambitious plans, claiming parts of the resort could be accessible to the public by the end of the decade. “I’m telling you, it’s going to be a beautiful project, and we’re going to do it and we’re going to be proud to contribute to Europe,” he stated from his office, located just a short distance from where nightly protests have been staged.
The Prime Minister has a vision for Albania that transcends the immediate pushback from environmental protesters. He noted, “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.” His leadership style, characterised by a mix of informality and creativity, is evident in his office decor, which features his own vibrant artwork and a casual attire of a black suit, T-shirt, and sneakers.
The luxury resort’s conceptualisation is attributed to Kushner and his wife, Ivanka Trump, who reportedly fell in love with Albania during a boating trip. Rama recalls meeting the couple and describes them as “very nice, humble…humanly good people.” The project, along with another proposed development on nearby Sazan Island, is projected to elevate the investment total to approximately €5 billion.
Despite the ambitious aspirations, the project has not been without its controversies. Protests intensified after the site near Vjosa-Narta was cordoned off with barbed wire for road construction, leading to clashes between demonstrators and private security forces. The fencing has since been removed, a move Rama acknowledged was a “disgraceful idea,” yet he remains resolute in pursuing the development.
While the Prime Minister downplays the environmental concerns, he admits that an environmental impact assessment is still pending, stating it will be conducted alongside the ongoing development efforts. “We are very proud of what we have done for the wildlife in Albania. The European Commission has no reason to doubt our firm will to protect whatever has to be protected when it comes to wildlife and nature,” Rama concluded.
