Demonstrators marched through the streets of Tirana on June 9 after gathering outside the prime minister's office, extending protests against a planned luxury tourism development linked to Jared Kushner, US President Donald Trump's son-in-law, into a 10th consecutive day.

What began as a local campaign against a proposed tourism project in the coastal area of Zvërnec has evolved into a broader protest movement targeting Prime Minister Edi Rama's government. 

Protesters chanted slogans including "Rama in prison, [opposition leader Sali] Berisha in prison" and called for the government's resignation.

The protesters have presented five demands: the resignation of the government, the repeal of legislation governing strategic investors, the cancellation of the so-called Mountain Package, the reversal of amendments to the Law on Protected Areas and the repeal of changes to the Law on Cultural Heritage.

Speaking from a stage outside the government headquarters before the march began, activist Alben Kola urged supporters to continue their campaign.

"It is important to be patient, even though this battle will last several days," Kola said, as reported by Top-Channel TV, adding that Albanian diaspora communities were organising support for the demonstrations.

The protests have been fuelled by opposition to plans backed by a company associated with Kushner to develop tourism projects in the Narta Lagoon area near Zvërnec and on Sazan Island, a former military base off Albania's southern coast.

The Albanian government has granted the investment strategic investor status, arguing that it could attract international capital and boost the country's tourism sector.

Environmental groups and local activists, however, say the developments threaten protected habitats in one of Albania's most important coastal ecosystems. The Narta Lagoon area is a key stopover point for migratory birds and is known for its flamingo populations.

The controversy intensified after video footage circulated online showing a security guard allegedly assaulting a protester near the development site.

Rama acknowledged that the incident had helped broaden public opposition to the project. "This protest was provoked by an ugly act of violence by a security guard against a protester," he told foreign journalists on June 9, according to a transcript posted on his website. 

While acknowledging public concern, Rama argued that criticism of the project had become detached from the facts.

"Something changed because suddenly there is no project," he said. "The protest turned into a mass protest with the refrain 'cancel the project, cancel the project'. I said we are canceling it at this moment, but show me the project. There is no project."

The prime minister has repeatedly defended the development plans, describing them as an opportunity to raise Albania's international profile and attract major investors.

When asked whether the government might reconsider its support for the investment, Rama replied: "Step back from what?"

Rama said Albania's environmental record should be taken into account, pointing to hunting and logging restrictions introduced during his years in office.

"We have fantastic documentation of how the wildlife in Albania came back thanks to the 10 years moratorium of hunting," he said.

The dispute has also attracted the attention of Albania's anti-corruption authorities, which have launched an investigation into aspects of the project, including questions surrounding land ownership and privatisation procedures.