"Albania is not for sale", French magazine echoes protests: Citizens demand Rama's resignation

The construction of a luxury resort by a company linked to the Trump family in a protected natural area on the Albanian coast has caused strong reactions.

Thousands of people marched in Tirana on Saturday evening, for the sixth consecutive day, against a plan to build a luxury resort by a company linked to the Trump family in a nature reserve on the Albanian coast.

Protests against this project, estimated to be worth around 4 billion euros and linked to Donald Trump's daughter, Ivanka Trump, and her husband, Jared Kushner, are gaining momentum in the Balkan country.

Waving Albanian flags and holding banners with the inscriptions "Ivanka, go home" or "Albania is not for sale" , some of which were signed by "Gen Z" , the protesters marched to the city center and stopped in front of the government headquarters, where they also demanded the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama.

This was the largest protest since the first rally held on Monday in the Albanian capital.

The Prime Minister accuses "foreign forces"

Accused by protesters of favoring investors to the detriment of the country's interests, Prime Minister Edi Rama has repeatedly stated that he will not abandon the project and has accused "foreign forces" of inciting the protests.

He declared on Friday that “there is no reason to worry” and that the project has not yet been finally approved. Rama stressed that “the best experts in the world” have been engaged in its evaluation and that the goal is “to create something unique” .

Earlier in the same day, several hundred people gathered at the protected Vjosa-Narta lagoon, about 150 kilometers southwest of Tirana, precisely in the area where preparations for a construction site had begun in recent days, causing strong reactions.

"This entire marine space is a protected area. Its destruction would be fatal for biodiversity," Emiljona Puja, an employee in the financial sector, told AFP.

On a sandy beach facing the blue waters, some protesters held pink plastic or paper flamingos – now a symbol of the movement – ​​while chanting: “Cancel the project!”

Area where many migratory birds live

Clashes also occurred in this area during a first protest in late May, after barbed wire was placed to limit the space, which was later removed, and after videos showing rioters on the beach were published online.

The coastal lagoon of Vjosa-Narta is a habitat for many migratory birds, including pink flamingos.

"The problem is not only related to the transparency of this process, but also to the fact that everything has been developed while completely ignoring the environmental importance of this area," said Denisa Kasa, an activist with the Albanian environmental protection organization PPNEA.

She described the area as "one of the most important biodiversity hotspots in the Mediterranean . "

Jared Kushner had confirmed in March 2024 an investment plan to turn Sazan Island, a former secret military base offshore near the lagoon, into a luxury tourist destination.

Following Ivanka Trump's visits to the area this winter, along with investors, discussions have also begun on the construction of luxury hotels in the Vjosa-Narta lagoon area.

Protest also in Paris

On Sunday, under clear spring weather, several hundred Albanians living in France gathered at the Place Joachim-du-Bellay, in the first arrondissement of Paris.

Amid the calls of the protesters, who sought to protect the rights of citizens against large developers, many slogans were directed at Albanian leaders, accused by them of "selling" Albania and not respecting the will of the people./ Paris Match