TIRANA, June 27 — A political crisis is unfolding in Albania, with the prime minister’s government facing the real prospect of collapse. The turmoil is tied directly to a development project backed by Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of former US President Donald Trump. The project involves the transformation of a once-pristine stretch of the Albanian coastline into a luxury resort.
Environmental groups have seized on the development, arguing it violates land-use laws and threatens protected ecosystems. Their protests have swelled into a broader movement against the government.
Several thousand demonstrators have gathered in the capital in recent days. The crowds have been met by police in riot gear, and early reports suggest several people on both sides have been injured. The opposition has now formally joined the protests, accusing the prime minister of corruption and of selling off the country’s natural heritage for personal and political gain.
The prime minister has defended the deal, calling it a vital source of foreign investment and jobs. He has dismissed the protests as a political stunt orchestrated by his rivals.
But the pressure is not letting up. The encouraging part for the protesters is that their numbers have not dwindled. The demonstrations have remained steady, and the opposition is now calling for a vote of no confidence in parliament.
If that vote succeeds, the government would fall, triggering snap elections. The Albanian parliament is deeply divided. The prime minister’s party holds a slim majority, but defections are possible.
Several ruling-party lawmakers have privately expressed unease with the Kushner-backed project, according to local media reports. The next few days will be critical.
For now, the situation remains tense. The government has not signalled any willingness to halt the development, and the protesters have not signalled any willingness to go home. Both sides appear dug in.
This is a story about the collision of money, power, and a small country’s natural landscape. The outcome is far from certain.
For Albania, the next step will be taken in parliament.
