Tirana, Albania – Violent protests have erupted in southern Albania against a luxury resort development backed by Jared Kushner, the former senior White House adviser and son-in-law of Donald Trump. Demonstrators clashed with police in the coastal town of Himarë on Tuesday, with reports of several injuries and multiple arrests. The project, a €1.4bn hotel and residential complex on the Ionian coast, has been dogged by allegations of land expropriation and legal irregularities.
Local residents and activists accuse the Albanian government of fast-tracking planning permissions and failing to adequately compensate those displaced by the development. Protesters waved Albanian flags and placards reading “Our land is not for sale” and “Kushner go home”. The demonstration turned violent when a group attempted to breach the construction site perimeter, prompting a police response with batons and tear gas.
The resort, which includes a marina, golf course and private villas, is part of a broader push by the government of Prime Minister Edi Rama to attract foreign investment and boost tourism along the Albanian Riviera. Critics argue that such projects disproportionately benefit wealthy outsiders at the expense of local communities. Environmental groups have also raised concerns about the impact on protected coastal ecosystems.
Kushner’s involvement in the project comes through his investment firm, Affinity Partners, which manages a $2bn fund capitalised largely by the sovereign wealth fund of Saudi Arabia. The former president’s son-in-law has faced scrutiny over the extent to which he leverages political connections for business deals, though he maintains that his investments comply with all ethical standards.
The Albanian government has defended the development, stating that all legal procedures have been followed and that compensation packages have been offered to affected landowners. In a statement, the Ministry of Tourism and Environment said: “This project will create thousands of jobs and position Albania as a premier Mediterranean destination. We regret that a small minority have chosen to disrupt the peace.”
The protest in Himarë is the latest in a series of land-rights disputes across Albania, where weak legal protections and opaque land registries have historically fuelled tensions. After the fall of communism in 1991, property restitution has been slow and contentious. International observers have repeatedly called for judicial reforms to ensure fair resolution of such conflicts.
The United States Embassy in Tirana has declined to comment on the protests, while a spokesperson for Affinity Partners said the firm was “committed to engaging constructively with local stakeholders and ensuring that the project delivers broad-based benefits”.
With the summer tourist season approaching, the Albanian authorities face a delicate balancing act between economic development and social stability. The outcome of this dispute could set a precedent for future foreign-backed megaprojects in the region.
