Clashes between Albanian police and protesters turned violent outside parliament in Tirana on Thursday, as demonstrations against a luxury resort development linked to US President Donald Trump’s family entered a new phase. Riot police deployed water cannon and pepper spray to disperse hundreds of demonstrators who had gathered to block lawmakers from entering the building, according to journalists at the scene.
Nine officers were injured by projectiles thrown by protesters, police said, though they did not confirm the number of arrests. In a nearby street, demonstrators smashed the windows of an empty police car as the crowd was pushed back from the area. The violence marks a sharp escalation from the largely peaceful daily protests that have drawn thousands since late May.
The planned resort, first announced in 2024, consists of two parts: a coastal development in the Narta Lagoon, a protected wildlife reserve, and a smaller resort on the uninhabited island of Sazan, a former communist-era military base. The project is linked to Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner, the president’s daughter and son-in-law.
Environmental and Political Backlash
Opposition to the development has become a rallying point for critics of Prime Minister Edi Rama, who has led the Socialist Party since 2013. Protesters accuse the government of a lack of transparency and of prioritising foreign investment over environmental protection. The government, however, argues that the project will transform the former communist nation’s tourism sector and bolster its bid for European Union membership.
The European Commission issued a veiled warning in June, urging Tirana to “act without delay” to avoid jeopardising its EU accession talks. “Albania should refrain from actions that could undermine the fulfilment of the closing benchmark, in this case Chapter 27,” said spokesperson Guillaume Mercier, referring to the chapter requiring alignment with EU environmental rules. The country’s path to membership remains a key priority, but the controversy has raised questions about its commitment to the bloc’s standards.
Rama has dismissed the protests as part of a “hybrid war” waged by hostile external forces. In an interview last month, he claimed that “bots, fake profiles, and attacks coming from all over” were stoking anger, and that well-meaning environmental concerns were being “weaponised” by actors exploiting social media. Critics, however, argue that the prime minister is deflecting legitimate grievances about corruption and the erosion of democratic norms.
The protests have also drawn attention to broader issues of governance in the Western Balkans. Albania’s push for EU membership has been a central plank of Rama’s agenda, but the resort controversy has exposed tensions between economic development and environmental stewardship. The Narta Lagoon is a key habitat for migratory birds, and environmental groups have warned that construction could cause irreversible damage.
For many Albanians, the project symbolises a deeper malaise. “This is not just about a hotel,” said one protester, who asked not to be named. “It’s about whether our leaders listen to us or only to foreign money.” The demonstrations have also drawn support from opposition parties, who see them as an opportunity to challenge Rama’s grip on power.
The violence on Thursday followed a similar protest on Tuesday, when six people were arrested after demonstrators threw eggs at lawmakers’ cars. The government has defended the police response, but human rights groups have expressed concern over the use of force. The European Union has called for restraint on both sides, urging dialogue to resolve the dispute.
As the standoff continues, the fate of the resort remains uncertain. The project has already secured necessary permits, but the protests have delayed construction. For now, the barbed-wire fencing and bulldozers that appeared on the beaches in late May remain a stark symbol of the divide between the government’s vision and the concerns of many citizens.
