Albania protests escalate over Kushner-backed coastal development

Albanian environmental activists protested on March 15, 2024, against a luxury resort development planned for the protected coastal area of Lalzi Bay. The project, backed by former US President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner's firm, Affinity Partners, is slated to include hotels, villas, and a marina. Protesters, organized by the Albanian Civil Society Forum, argue that the development will destroy a vital nesting ground for loggerhead sea turtles and disrupt the local ecosystem. They presented a petition with over 10,000 signatures to the Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy, demanding a halt to the project and a reassessment of its environmental impact. The government has stated that the project will bring significant economic benefits and jobs to the region, with an investment of $300 million. However, environmental groups contend that the long-term ecological damage outweighs any short-term economic gains. The Albanian government approved the project in late 2023, designating it a "strategic investment." Critics point to a lack of transparency in the approval process and insufficient environmental impact assessments. The protests are part of a broader concern over foreign investment in sensitive natural areas in Albania.