Inside Albania, widespread anger is rising over plans to develop a $6.5 billion luxury resort on the eastern shores of Sazan Island, adjacent to the ecologically rich Narta Lagoon. The lagoon supports 200 species of birds, including flamingos that feed on shrimp in its briny waters, making it one of the last untouched stretches of the Mediterranean.

The Zvërnec Peninsula, known for its natural beauty and framed by tree-covered mountains, faces a dramatic transformation as the government green-lit the project featuring eight-story resorts, apartments, and villas. Critics argue the development resembles a real estate venture more than a tourism initiative.

Locals and environmental groups claim they were never consulted about the project. "We were never consulted. We were never approached," one source said. Furthermore, no reputable environmental organizations have been involved in the planning process.

The controversy deepened with reports linking the project to the Trump family. Ivanka Trump reportedly walked barefoot around the island during a 2021 boat trip, a claim met with surprise due to the island's rough terrain. It has also been reported that Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama met Ivanka Trump and her husband during that trip.

Redi Muçi, an academic turned parliamentarian, told 7.30 that misconduct is widespread in Albania, particularly regarding valuable land sales often tied to opaque deals. Protesters accuse the government of corruption and connections to oligarchs and the underworld.

On the night of August 2, 2026, approximately 3,000 people gathered in central Tirana to protest the development and demand preservation of their fragile paradise.

This dispute highlights the tension between economic development ambitions and environmental conservation in one of Europe's last relatively untouched coastal regions.

Sources