The Albanian coast is the epicenter of a burgeoning environmental and political storm. A luxury resort project, spearheaded by Jared Kushner’s investment firm Affinity Partners, has ignited widespread protests and environmental concerns. The development, valued at approximately $1.6 billion, aims to transform the Narta Lagoon area and the uninhabited island of Sazan into a hub of luxury hotels, apartments, villas, and a marina.
The project has drawn significant backlash from environmental groups and the public, who fear the irreversible damage it could inflict on protected habitats and endangered species. The controversy has escalated to the point where Albania’s anti-corruption prosecution body, SPAK, has launched a probe into the project and the legislative changes made in 2026 that impacted the area’s protected status.
The Environmental Stakes
The Narta Lagoon and Sazan Island are home to a rich biodiversity, including the Mediterranean monk seal, the Loggerhead sea turtle, and numerous endangered bird species like Dalmatian pelicans and flamingos. Environmental groups warn that the development could lead to a wipeout of naturethreatening these delicate ecosystems. The flamingo, a key migratory species, has become a symbol of the resistance, with protesters donning flamingo imagery and props.
Aleksandr Trajce, executive director of the Protection and Preservation of the Natural Environment in Albania (PPNEA), emphasized the lack of transparency surrounding the project. “From start to finish there has been a total lack of transparency,” Trajce stated. “We have seen no public consultation or public documentation regarding permits, and so now what we are saying is, if they remove the bulldozers, remove the fence and restore the habitats to what they were, then we can start talking.”
Public Outcry and Political Responses
The groundwork for the development began late last week, sparking immediate public resistance. Thousands have taken to the streets in the capital Tirana, with protests entering their sixth day on Friday. Demonstrators have held signs protesting the project’s ties to the Trump administration and calling for the government to block the resort. The slogan “Albania is not for sale” has become a rallying cry for the protesters.
Prime Minister Edi Rama has strongly supported the resort, viewing it as an opportunity to boost Albania’s tourism industry. “There is no chance for this investment to stop as long as I am here,” Rama declared. However, his offer to meet with opponents of the project was rebuffed, highlighting the deep-seated opposition to the development.
The Kushner Connection
Jared Kushner, founder and CEO of Affinity Partners, discovered the site for the project during a swim from a friend’s boat. Ivanka Trump, Kushner’s spouse and daughter of the President, described the location as “an unbelievable, beautiful, 1,400-hectare private island in the middle of the Mediterranean.” The couple expressed their captivation with the land’s beauty and their intention to pursue the development with “a lot of restraint and care.”
This is not the first time Kushner’s business dealings have drawn controversy. In December, his firm pulled out of a planned luxury hotel project in Serbia after it sparked protests and corruption charges. Four government officials were charged with abuse of power and forgery in connection with the project, which Affinity Partners ultimately withdrew from.
Despite the backlash, Prime Minister Rama defended the planned development during the European-Western Balkans summit in Montenegro. “If it was not Jared, they would not give a s— about what is happening in Albania,” Rama stated, underscoring the international attention the project has garnered.
The protests in Albania highlight a growing tension between economic development and environmental preservation. As the controversy unfolds, the world watches to see how this “flamingo revolution” will shape the future of Albania’s coast.
