Mass protests in Tirana target Kushner development and Albanian leaders over alleged corruption

Albania saw its largest anti-government demonstrations yet on the night of the 12th straight day of protests, with an estimated 200,000 people filling the streets of Tirana. The anger was directed at what protesters described as cross-party government corruption, centered on a huge real estate project in the country promoted by Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of U.S. President Donald Trump.

Demonstrators carried harsh signs against Prime Minister Edi Rama and opposition leader Sali Berisha, both of whom have backed the project. Tensions escalated after Albanian opposition figures said Washington had decided to lift Berisha’s personal sanctions, which had been imposed over corruption allegations. Berisha then appeared to confirm the reports by posting on social media, “I’m back!”

Berisha was designated in May 2021 by then U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken as persona non grata in the United States for significant corruption, including misuse of public funds and interference in political processes for his own benefit and that of associates and family members. After Donald Trump returned to the White House for a second term in January 2025, Berisha asked the new administration to review his status, arguing the sanctions were the product of political persecution by Rama and billionaire George Soros.

Protesters in Tirana now believe the alleged sanctions reversal is part of a corrupt quid pro quo. They accuse Berisha of advancing Kushner’s business interests in Albania in exchange for the U.S. administration clearing his name and removing the penalties.