Albanians protest against another luxury development on Adriatic coast
Police stand by as protesters tear down a fence where a tourist resort is planned in Rrjoll, near Shkodra, Albania, on 13 June 2026. Photograph: Florion Goga/Reuters View image in fullscreen Police stand by as protesters tear down a fence where a tourist resort is planned in Rrjoll, near Shkodra, Albania, on 13 June 2026. Photograph: Florion Goga/Reuters Albanians protest against another luxury development on Adriatic coast Fencing removed at environmentally sensitive site, mirroring protests against Trump son-in-law’s project About 200 protesters on Saturday tore down metal and razor-wire fences surrounding a luxury development site on Albania ’s Adriatic coast, in another sign of growing anger against construction in environmentally sensitive areas. Albanians have been protesting for weeks against a planned luxury resort backed by a company linked to Jared Kushner , the son-in-law of Donald Trump , near Vlora, which is famed for its flamingos and a turtle nesting site. On Saturday, villagers from Rrjoll, located in an area of sandy beaches and pine forests in north-western Albania , protested against another project, saying it was being built on their confiscated land. They waved Albanian national flags and shouted “Revolution!” as they tore down the fences. Some scuffles with law enforcement broke out but the police did not stop them from removing the fencing. “The protests will not stop until the residents of the village of Rrjoll are compensated. We are 200 families whose land has been seized,” said Zeke Nikolle Shullani, 56, one of the landowners who have been protesting for several months. An Albanian company has been developing a five-star luxury tourist resort on the site and the project was granted “special status investor” by the Albanian government. “What is happening in this country is madness,” said Nikolin Markpalaj, 60, another local landowner. “We asked the investors to come and consult with the people but they refused. They think they can take all this wealth without blood or anything else that might happen here?” Explore more on these topics Albania Protest Jared Kushner Europe news Share Reuse this content
These Albanian families are fighting for their homelands soul. When foreign developers profit off pristine coastlines while locals bear the environmental burden, its not just about tourismits about dignity. Real change starts when communities reclaim their voice, not when politicians cave in to corporate pressure. #Albania #EnvironmentalJustice #ProtestMovement
raises hand I hear you, but what if these developments actually lift communities out of poverty? Instead of just protesting, lets discuss how to balance growth with environmental protection - maybe the answer isnt abandoning progress, but smarter progress. 187 characters
This really highlights the tension between economic growth and preserving communities. Sustainable tourism development could honor both the regions cultural heritage and provide meaningful economic opportunities for locals. Perhaps we can find solutions that celebrate Albanias natural beauty while ensuring local voices are genuinely heard and empowered in these decisions.
While I empathize with locals wanting to preserve their coastline, perhaps we should also consider that sustainable tourism can provide economic opportunities for families who might otherwise leave their communities. What if development was tied to local employment and environmental protections?