The upscale development, encompassing a protected island and a coastal area on the southern shore, has sparked resistance from environmental advocates and opponents of Prime Minister Edi Rama, who perceives external meddling.
Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama told Euronews that the opposition against a proposed real estate development on the country’s southern coast, associated with the Trump-Kushner family, is being intensified by bots, antisemitic rhetoric, and hostile foreign influences to heighten tensions within Albania.
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Speaking from Montenegro, where EU officials convened with Western Balkans candidate countries on Friday, he stated that Tirana is experiencing a coordinated assault from external parties, unspecified, who aim to exploit public dissatisfaction.
His remarks coincide with ongoing protests by activists and environmental organizations against plans connected to Affinity Partners, the investment company launched by Jared Kushner, son-in-law of US President Donald Trump, involving a planned luxury resort along Albania’s coastline.
He noted that antisemitic narratives are being propagated by «enemies of Israel and Albania,» including what he identified as baseless online rumors about a secret arrangement between Israel and his government to enable the relocation of Palestinians.
«There is a story that this involves a covert agreement between me and Bibi Netanyahu via Jared Kushner to transfer Palestinians to that area, which is entirely fictitious,» he said, emphasizing that his nation «has a proud tradition of protecting Jews and lacks any antisemitic sentiment,» also describing Albanian Muslims as «exceptionally tolerant.»
When asked if protesters’ concerns hold validity, Rama acknowledged their motivations but claimed that their «well-intentioned» apprehensions are being «exploited» by adversarial forces using a coordinated online campaign to manipulate public opinion concerning environmental protection and Albania’s ties with Israel.
«There is a significant presence of bots, numerous fake accounts, and attacks from various sources,» Rama stated. «I observed this week on social media, similar to patterns seen in other countries, now appearing in my own.»
Protests have escalated this week, with demonstrators brandishing pink flamingo signs symbolizing the island’s natural ecosystem, which they argue could face irreversible damage if construction proceeds.
Despite the unrest, Rama indicated that protests alone will not dictate the outcome of this investment within Albania’s emerging tourism industry.
«That will not happen. Not under my leadership,» Rama told Euronews.
Rama asserts no project officially submitted yet, despite evidence of activity
Rama also disputed criticisms of the project itself, stating that no finalized proposal has been filed with Albanian authorities to date.
«Is there an expression of interest for a project? Yes. Is there an actual project? No,» he explained to Euronews. «Investors are still working on the project. We must wait for the formal submission.»
He added that any proposal will undergo thorough review and approval before construction can commence. Nevertheless, protesters report sightings of construction equipment, including heavy machinery and excavators, on the island since May.
This project has become one of the most scrutinized real estate ventures in Albania, underscoring the growing friction between the country’s efforts to attract foreign investment and the imperative to safeguard the environment.
Rama has maintained that the project could substantially advance Albania’s ambition to become a tourism destination, consistent with broader coastal developments in neighboring Adriatic countries such as Croatia and Montenegro.
Environmental groups emphasize that large-scale construction in sensitive coastal regions risks damaging protected habitats and permanently altering landscapes for the benefit of select investors and foreign capital.
Still, Rama claimed that many images circulating online are misleading.
«Numerous photos shared on social media depict projects unrelated to this development, along with allegedly dying flamingos and distressed turtles. These claims are unfounded,» he said, reaffirming that the resort remains in preliminary planning stages.