Thousands Protest as Trump's Son-in-Law Still Eyes Albanian Paradise

Thousands of Albanian citizens once again filled the streets of the capital Tirana to stage a protest on Saturday (13/6/2026) against a luxury resort development plan backed by a company linked to Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of United States President Donald Trump. Demonstrators packed the city streets while waving Albanian flags. The action also featured various flamingo-themed props as a symbol of rejection of the project, which is deemed to threaten the environment. Protesters voiced concerns over the development’s impact on conservation areas along the country’s coastline. The resort is planned to be built within the protected Vjosa-Narta landscape on the Adriatic coast. The wetland area is a crucial habitat for various wildlife, including flamingos, seals, and sea turtles that nest in the region. The conservation group PPNEA Bird Life Albania warned that the project could disrupt the local ecosystem. They assess that the flamingo population risks disappearing from the area if construction proceeds. Despite the opposition, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama remains supportive of the project. In an interview with Reuters this week, Rama asserted that the resort development is legal and guaranteed that wildlife habitats in the Vjosa-Narta area will remain protected.