Rama alleges 'hybrid war' behind protests against Kushner-linked coastal development
The luxury venture, spanning a protected island and a stretch of seafront on the southern coast, has drawn opposition from environmental campaigners and critics of Prime Minister Edi Rama.
Speaking to Euronews, Rama said opposition to the proposed investment on Albania's southern coast was being amplified by bots, fake social media accounts and hostile external forces exploiting environmental concerns and geopolitical tensions.
"Albania is in a hybrid war. We are being assaulted," Rama told Euronews.
His comments come as activists and environmental groups continue to protest plans associated with Affinity Partners, the investment firm founded by Kushner, the son-in-law of US President Donald Trump. Critics have raised concerns over the potential impact of large-scale tourism development on Albania's protected coastal areas and biodiversity. Rama insisted that much of the online debate surrounding the project was being driven by misinformation.
"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 said.
According to the Albanian leader, coordinated online activity has sought to exploit public sentiment around environmental protection and Albania's relationship with Israel. "It's a lot of bots, it's a lot of fake profiles, it's a lot of attacks coming from all over," Rama said.
He said the attacks were coming from "enemies of Albania" seeking to appeal to Albanian Muslims who are, he added "incredibly tolerant" and "amazingly pro-European". "Albania has a very proud history of saving the Jews, Albania has a very proud position of never having had anti-Semitic sentiments" he also said.
Asked whether protesters' concerns were legitimate, Rama acknowledged that some citizens were acting in good faith but argued their concerns were being "weaponised" by hostile actors.
No project submitted yet, Rama says
The prime minister also sought to push back against criticism of the development itself, arguing that no final proposal has yet been submitted to Albanian authorities. He said this second barrage of attacks was mixed with concerns about the environment.
"Is there an expression of interest to have a project? Yes. Is there a project? No," he told Euronews. "The project is being worked on by the investors. We have to see when the project will be presented."
Rama said any proposal would be subject to review and approval procedures before construction could begin. And promised the project will be presented so everyone could discuss it.
Coastal development sparks debate
The proposed investment has become one of the most closely watched development projects in Albania, highlighting growing tensions between the country's push to attract foreign capital and concerns over environmental preservation. Albania's coastline has emerged as one of Europe's fastest-growing tourism destinations, drawing increasing interest from international investors. However, environmental organisations have warned that major developments in sensitive coastal zones could threaten protected habitats and alter landscapes that have become central to the country's tourism appeal.
'No dying flamingos or depressed turtles'
Rama dismissed online images suggesting the planned resort would harm biodiversity: " there are a lot of images that have been spread in the 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 was still at an early planning stage.
Rama also rejected accusations that the project would privatise public land or serve only wealthy visitors, saying the land involved had been acquired from private owners and arguing that luxury tourism projects generate wider economic benefits. "We are part of the world," he said. "Exactly because these investments come, countries change."
The Albanian leader also defended the project's environmental credentials, claiming the development aims to become a model for sustainable tourism. "The aim is not to take a piece of land and do speculation," Rama told Euronews. "The aim is to build the most exclusive and the most environmentally precious destination."
Despite the ongoing protests, Rama signalled that demonstrations alone would not determine the future of the investment. "This will never happen. Not under my watch.", Edi Rama told Euronews.
