Albanian Police Use Water Cannons on Protesters

Albanian police deployed water cannons and pepper spray on Tuesday as protesters clashed outside the country's parliament. The demonstration was organized to oppose a luxury resort development project slated for the southern coast, specifically the Dhërmi area. Protesters voiced concerns that the project, linked to former White House advisor Jared Kushner's firm, Affinity Partners, would negatively impact the environment and local communities.

Reports indicate that the demonstration involved several hundred individuals who gathered to express their discontent with the government's approval of the resort. The project, valued at an estimated $1.3 billion, aims to transform a significant stretch of coastline into a high-end tourist destination. Critics argue that the scale of the development and its potential environmental footprint are not adequately addressed, and that the benefits will not trickle down to the local population.

Affinity Partners, co-founded by Jared Kushner, announced its intention to invest in the Albanian Riviera in November 2023. The deal, facilitated by the Albanian government, includes plans for hotels, villas, and commercial spaces. While proponents of the project highlight its potential to boost tourism and create jobs, opponents have raised alarms about the lack of transparency in the bidding process and the potential for ecological damage. The clashes outside parliament underscore the deep divisions surrounding the development.