As protests over the Kushner-linked coastal resort enter their fourth consecutive day in Tirana, a chorus of voices has emerged, from conservationists and opposition leaders to ordinary Albanians in the streets. Here is what they are saying.
From the Conservation World
BirdLife International and EuroNatur, which have been monitoring the Pishe Poro-Narta protected zone, issued a joint statement after documenting what they described as systematic illegal destruction:
“Heavy machinery began clearing the core of the protected zone — with no permits, no completed environmental assessment, and no consultation with the people who live there.”
Joni Vorpsi, an ecologist with PPNEA-BirdLife Albania, was direct: “We want all construction to halt and heavy machines out of the protected area.”
From the Opposition
Arlind Qori, leader of the movement Levizja BASHKE, placed the crisis in the context of broader governance failures in an interview with Balkan Insight:
“This project has everything to do with the further enrichment of oligarchs and corrupt officials, and nothing to do with the well-being of the Albanian people.”
He also accused the government of “destroying protected areas and public assets, and facilitating the dispossession of small, legitimate landowners in Zvernec and across Albania.”
From Investigative Reporters
The Balkan Investigative Reporting Network (BIRN) published a detailed investigation on June 4, 2026, finding that the land ownership trail behind the project leads to deeply troubling places:
“The project involves a network of shady individuals and companies, including a businessman accused of links to the Italian mafia, a former judge who resigned due to the vetting process, the daughter of a lawyer accused of forgery, and individuals linked to one of Albania’s biggest oligarchs.”
From the Prime Minister
Prime Minister Edi Rama has made his position unambiguous, even as protesters gathered outside his office and prosecutors froze assets tied to the project, according to Bloomberg:
“There is no chance for this investment to stop as long as I am here.”
He described the development as an “extraordinary project” and urged Albanians not to fear large-scale foreign investment.
From the Streets
Perhaps the most powerful statements have required no microphone. Across four days of demonstrations in Tirana and at the Zvernec site, protesters have carried signs and chanted slogans documented by Al Jazeera, Euronews, ABC News, Albanian Daily News, and Tirana Times.
“Albania is not for sale.” The defining slogan of the movement — seen on banners, heard in chants, and painted on signs from Tirana to Vlore.
“Nation is not for sale.” A variation carried widely outside the Prime Minister’s office during the largest Tirana gatherings.
“Cancel the project.” A direct demand chanted repeatedly outside government buildings and at the Zvernec site itself.
“I don’t want Albania like Dubai.” A direct rejection of the government’s vision for high-end mass tourism development on protected land.
“Hands off Vjose-Narta.” Named specifically for the protected landscape being cleared, this slogan became the rallying cry of environmental defenders.
“Albania belongs to Albanians.” A statement about sovereignty and who has the right to decide the fate of the country’s natural heritage.
“Repeal the strategic investment law.” A demand targeting the specific legislation critics say was rewritten to enable this and similar projects on protected land.
“Resign!” Chanted directly outside Rama’s office, connecting the resort controversy to the broader call for the government’s resignation.
“Rama in prison — SPAK!” A demand directed at Albania’s Special Prosecution Against Corruption and Organized Crime, which has since opened a formal investigation and frozen assets tied to the project.
“SOS — we are being robbed.” First chanted by activists in February when construction equipment first appeared, as reported by Citizens.al.
From One Protester
Arilda Lleshi, who was among the demonstrators at Zvernec, captured the moment that transformed local concern into a national movement, speaking to Euronews:
“The spark was what happened in Zvernec, which everyone saw on social media: an activist being dragged along the ground by people in black shirts from a private security company — because he was protesting against a fence that had been installed there illegally.”
The situation remains unresolved. But the voices are only getting louder.
Reporting compiled from sources including BIRN, Balkan Insight, Bloomberg, Euronews, Al Jazeera, ABC News, Citizen.al, and the Albanian Daily News.
