Tirana (Albania) (AFP) – Thousands have taken to the streets across Albania for over a week, as a luxury resort development linked to US President Donald Trump ignites long-running discontent over corruption in the Balkan nation.
Issued on: 09/06/2026 - 15:20
4 min Reading time
The planned seaside resort in the coastal area of Zvernec, linked to Trump's daughter, Ivanka, and her husband, Jared Kushner, has triggered protests in several cities both inside the country and abroad.But beyond the protest signs directly targeting the project, estimated to cost 4 billion euros ($4.6 billion), the chant of "Albania is not for sale" has accompanied placards criticising graft in the country."Discontent that had built up over the years has exploded," Skender Minxhozi, editor-in-chief of local outlet Java News, told AFP.'The spark'Increasing frustration with a scandal-plagued political class, with ongoing corruption probes targeting current and former administrations, has been worsened by concerns over the "soaring cost of living", Minxhozi said."And the feeling that prospects for the future are shrinking like a withering skin."
Flamingos flying in Narta lagoon, Albania © Adnan Beci / AFP
