Why Ivanka insists on Albania: Sazan, from an impregnable military base to a multi-billion dollar resort – The dirty role of Rama

The largest environmental and political controversy of recent years is in full swing in Albania, with thousands of citizens protesting against the ambitious plan to develop a luxury resort linked to Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner. The project, worth approximately $1.6 billion, is being promoted through Jared Kushner's investment firm, Affinity Partners, and involves transforming the historic and environmentally sensitive island of Sazan into an ultra-luxury tourist destination for the global elite. However, instead of becoming a symbol of development, the plan has turned into a political bomb that threatens to deeply divide Albanian society.

Third consecutive day of protests – Tirana is "boiling"

Thousands of citizens flooded the streets of Tirana for the third consecutive day, demanding an immediate halt to construction work. The images from the mobilizations are making the rounds of the world. Protesters are holding placards with slogans such as: "Albania is not for sale," "Ivanka Trump Go Home," and "Save Sazan."
Inflatable flamingos appeared at the protests, symbolizing the threat that activists believe the region's wildlife faces. At the same time, new mobilizations are being planned on the country's southern coasts, near the areas where the first preparatory work for the project has already begun.

Sazan is not an ordinary island

The island is considered one of the last natural treasures of the Mediterranean. It is the only island in Albania and is located at a strategic point between the Adriatic and Ionian Seas, at the entrance to the Strait of Otranto. During the communist regime of Enver Hoxha, it functioned as an impregnable military base and remained closed for nearly half a century. Today, the area hosts one of the most valuable ecosystems in the Mediterranean. The waters around the island are a refuge for the rare Mediterranean monk seal, Monachus monachus, while more than 200 types of birds have been recorded in the area, including flamingos, dalmatian pelicans, and endangered migratory species. The Narta wetlands, coastal forests, and sand dunes are considered among the most important protected areas in the Balkans.

"Unprecedented collapse of the rule of law"

Environmental organizations are launching a fierce attack against the government of Edi Rama. The country's largest ecological organization, PPNEA, denounces a complete lack of transparency and public consultation. According to activists, environmental studies have not been sufficiently publicized, and the licensing procedures remain unclear. The anger peaked when contractors began installing barbed wire fences and heavy machinery began shaping the ground in areas near Zvërnec. Residents complain that they were excluded from lands they had used for decades, while environmental organizations speak of the destruction of sand dunes and Mediterranean pine forests. "This is no longer just an environmental issue. It has evolved into a matter of democracy and citizens' rights," protesters' representatives emphasize.

The SPAK investigation and the shadows surrounding the project

Political pressure increased even further when the Special Prosecution against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK) announced the start of an investigation into the legislative changes made in 2024 regarding protected areas. These changes are considered by critics as pivotal for the investment to proceed. This development has sparked new questions regarding whether the state acted with the public interest in mind or facilitated specific business plans.

Edi Rama is adamant: "The project will not stop"

Despite the reactions, Prime Minister Edi Rama appears determined to move forward. In public statements, he characterized the project as being of historical importance for the country's economy and clarified that there is no possibility of it being canceled as long as he remains in power. He argues that Albania needs high-level investments to attract wealthy visitors and avoid the problems of mass tourism faced by other Mediterranean countries. The government estimates that the investment will create thousands of jobs, strengthen local businesses, and place Albania on the global map of luxury tourism.

The visit of Ivanka Trump that sparked the fire

The situation escalated further when Ivanka Trump recently visited the area with a team of architects and consultants involved in the project's design. Her presence reignited reactions, as many Albanians feel the government treats foreign investors with preferential treatment while ignoring the concerns of local communities.

The battle that goes beyond the project itself

For its supporters, Sazan can evolve into one of the most iconic destinations in the Mediterranean. For its opponents, it represents the symbol of a policy that sacrifices the natural environment and public property in the name of development. What is certain is that the conflict has exceeded the limits of a simple investment plan. It has turned into a national confrontation over the future of Albania, the transparency of institutions, environmental protection, and the limits of economic growth. And as the bulldozers keep working and protesters return to the streets daily, Sazan is evolving into the most explosive political issue the country has faced in recent years.

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