Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama has accused hostile external forces of waging a hybrid war against his government, using bots and fake social media accounts to amplify opposition to a proposed luxury resort on the country's southern coast. The development, linked to Affinity Partners—the investment firm founded by Jared Kushner, son-in-law of US President Donald Trump—has sparked protests from environmental campaigners and critics who warn of damage to protected habitats.
In an interview with Euronews, Rama stated: "Albania is in a hybrid war. We are being assaulted." He argued that coordinated online activity is exploiting public sentiment around environmental protection and Albania's relationship with Israel. "There is a narrative that this is about a hidden deal between me and Bibi Netanyahu through Jared Kushner... which is a total fantasy," he added.
The prime minister acknowledged that some protesters are acting in good faith but insisted their concerns are being "weaponised" by adversaries. "It's a lot of bots, it's a lot of fake profiles, it's a lot of attacks coming from all over," he said, pointing to "enemies of Albania" seeking to appeal to the country's Muslim population, which he described as "incredibly tolerant" and "amazingly pro-European."
No Formal Proposal Yet
Rama pushed back against criticism by noting that no final project has been submitted to Albanian authorities. "Is there an expression of interest to have a project? Yes. Is there a project? No," he said. "The project is being worked on by the investors. We have to see when the project will be presented." He promised that any proposal would undergo review and approval procedures before construction begins.
The proposed investment has become a flashpoint in Albania, highlighting tensions between the country's push to attract foreign capital and concerns over environmental preservation. The coastline has emerged as one of Europe's fastest-growing tourism destinations, drawing international investors. However, environmental organisations warn that major developments in sensitive zones could threaten protected habitats and alter landscapes central to Albania's tourism appeal.
Rama dismissed online images suggesting the resort would harm biodiversity, calling them fabricated. "There are a lot of images that have been spread on social media of projects that are not related to the project, of dying flamingos, of depressed turtles, and of all this. It doesn't exist," he said, insisting the resort is still at an early planning stage.
He also rejected accusations that the project would privatise public land or serve only wealthy visitors, arguing that the land was acquired from private owners and that luxury tourism generates wider economic benefits. "We are part of the world," Rama said. "Exactly because these investments come, countries change."
The Albanian leader defended the project's environmental credentials, claiming it aims to become a model for sustainable tourism. "The aim is not to take a piece of land and do speculation," he told Euronews. "The aim is to build the most exclusive and the most environmentally precious destination."
Protests have continued for days, with activists gathering in Tirana and along the coast. For more on the ongoing demonstrations, see our coverage of Albanian protests enter third day over Kushner-linked coastal resort. The controversy also echoes broader concerns about disinformation campaigns targeting European democracies, as seen in Iran-linked social network faked Scottish and Irish identities to spread propaganda.
