Thousands protest in Tirana against Trump's son-in-law and Prime Minister Rama

The protests against the tourism project had begun at the end of May, when barbed wire and bulldozers appeared on the beaches of Zvernec. The project is linked to Trump's daughter Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared Kushner and was first presented in 2024. Critics accuse not only Trump's sons but also Kushner and his wife of using Trump's name for their own business dealings.

Environmental concerns on the Adriatic

The plans include, among other things, transforming the previously uninhabited island of Sazan — once a secret communist military base — into a glamorous resort. The Vjosa-Narta lagoon on the southern Adriatic is an important resting area for migratory birds and flamingos. Environmentalists therefore view the intervention in the nature reserve critically.

The Albanian government has long been trying to boost the country's economy through tourism. The planned resort is considered one of the prestige projects meant to attract international investors. According to observers, Donald Trump's family has repeatedly invested in luxury projects worldwide in the past.

Economic policy under pressure

The demonstrators in Tirana accused Rama of betraying national interests by hosting Kanye West's appearance and negotiating with the Trump family. On banners and in chants, they demanded, in addition to the prime minister's resignation, the halt of construction work in Zvernec. Police secured the rallies; no incidents were initially reported.

The backstory of the project goes back to 2024, when initial plans for the resort on the Albanian coast became public. Since then, local environmental groups have formed, pointing with regular actions to the threat to the ecosystem at the Vjosa-Narta lagoon.

Outlook

With the latest protests, pressure is mounting on Rama, who has so far publicly backed the project. Observers see the demonstrations as a sign that public sentiment is turning against large foreign investments when these are tied to politically controversial partners.