World · Malaysia Bureau
Albanian police clash with protesters opposing Trump-linked resort project
Demonstrations in Albania have intensified over plans to construct a luxury hotel development in a protected coastal nature reserve. The project has drawn sustained opposition from environmental and civil society groups since late May.
LSN Malaysia ·
Police in Albania have deployed to disperse gatherings of protesters opposing a major hotel construction project slated for a protected coastal area. The proposed luxury resort, linked to business interests associated with former U.S. President Donald Trump, has become a focal point for environmental activism in the Balkan nation.
Since late May, Albanians have organised successive rallies against the development, citing concerns about the impact on the nature reserve and its biodiversity. Environmental groups and local communities have argued that the project threatens one of Albania's remaining pristine coastal ecosystems and violates national conservation regulations.
The confrontations between demonstrators and law enforcement underscore deepening tensions between the government's development agenda and growing public concern over environmental protection. The project has drawn international attention from conservation organisations monitoring developments in the region.
Albania, which has positioned itself as an emerging tourism destination, has faced previous criticism over large-scale construction projects in environmentally sensitive areas. The current dispute reflects broader regional debates about balancing economic development with environmental stewardship in Southeast Europe and the Balkans.