Kushner-Linked Luxury Resort Plans Ignite Protests Across Albania

Article excerpt

A planned luxury resort linked to Jared Kushner has sparked massive protests across Albania, with thousands demanding the government block the investment. The project, backed by a fund managed by Kushner's firm Affinity Partners, faces criticism over environmental damage to coastal areas and concerns that Prime Minister Edi Rama's government may have sidestepped transparency rules in approving it. Environmental groups warn the development could destroy protected habitats, while anti-corruption activists see the deal as emblematic of backroom dealings that undermine democratic oversight. The showdown reflects broader tensions in Albania over how much foreign investment the country should welcome and at what cost.