Albanian Prime Minister Defends Coastal Resort Project

Albania's prime minister posted a lengthy thread on X that included a video of a protest he said drew around 2,000 participants, describing it as the lowest turnout so far. He stated that demonstrations had never exceeded 8,000 people and argued that international coverage had exaggerated the scale of opposition to a proposed luxury coastal development.

The post defended the project as a plan to turn parts of the southern coastline into a high-end tourism destination. It said the vision would ultimately produce about 25 percent more trees and green space than exists today, along with measurable biodiversity gains.

The plans call for hotels, villas and a marina inside the Narta Lagoon, a large protected wetland, plus a separate resort on Sazan Island, a former military base. Since late May, excavators have cleared land, opened routes and installed fencing in the area.

Environmental groups say the work threatens habitat used by migratory birds, seals and sea turtles. Albania's anti-corruption prosecutors have opened an investigation into land ownership questions connected to the project.

The prime minister wrote that Albania should not fear an investment of 4 billion euros and added there is no chance the project will be stopped while he remains in office. He said no final approvals have been granted and that environmental rules will be followed.

On Saturday evening, The Associated Press reported that protesters gathered in the capital for one of the largest demonstrations so far. Demonstrators have carried flamingo symbols and chanted that the country is not for sale. Newsweek contacted the prime minister's office and the press office of the investment firm outside regular working hours on Sunday for comment.