Hundreds of demonstrators gathered in Albania’s capital, Tirana, on Saturday for the 28th consecutive day of protests under the slogan “Albania Is Not for Sale,” voicing opposition to a proposed $4 billion tourism project in the coastal area of Zvernec. Albanian media have linked the development to Jared Kushner, son-in-law of US President Donald Trump, and Ivanka Trump, though Prime Minister Edi Rama has rejected claims that the project belongs to the Trump family.
Protesters assembled in Skanderbeg Square before marching to the Prime Minister’s Office, carrying Albanian flags and banners demanding greater transparency over the use and ownership of public land. Organizers argue that the country’s natural heritage and coastline should not be privatized or transferred for large-scale commercial ventures without public consent.
The demonstrations began on May 30 and have evolved into one of Albania’s most persistent civic movements in recent years. Earlier protests drew thousands of participants, with police reportedly deploying water cannons on the fourth day to disperse crowds.
Meanwhile, media reports indicate that Albania’s Special Prosecution Office has opened an investigation into aspects of the project, adding further scrutiny to the proposed investment. Supporters of the development emphasize its potential economic benefits and tourism opportunities, while critics warn about environmental impacts, transparency concerns, and foreign influence over strategic coastal assets.
