Recently, former President Donald Trump’s daughter, Ivanka Trump, and her husband, Jared Kushner, have been accused of corruption over their planned luxury resort projects in Albania. This controversy has raised many questions about fairness and transparency.
Kushner and Ivanka Trump want to build two major resorts in Albania. One is a luxury hotel and beach villas on the mainland, and the other is a resort on Sazan Island. The mainland project is worth about $1 billion. Local Albanian families, like the Konomi family, say their land was taken away after the fall of Communism in 1991. Bledar Alexandros Konomi, a member of this family, argues that the land Kushner and Ivanka Trump want to develop rightfully belongs to them, based on Albanian court records.
Sazan Island, which was a military base during the Cold War, is also involved. Kushner and Ivanka Trump are competing with Evi Kokalari-Angelakis, an Albanian-American real estate developer, (who donated to Trump’s 2020 reelection bid) for the rights to develop the island. Kokalari-Angelakis claims that the Albanian government is favoring the Trump project because they want to gain favor with Donald Trump in case he becomes President again.
The accusations against Kushner and Ivanka Trump go beyond local land disputes. Critics, such as Agron Shehaj, the leader of the opposition party in Albania, believe that the Albanian government is not being transparent. Shehaj thinks that the government is giving special treatment to the Trump projects due to their connection with Donald Trump. He said,
“But there has been a lack of transparency here, and it makes it look like this is a private deal that is in the political interest of the prime minister of Albania.”
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A spokesperson for Prime Minister Edi Rama has denied these claims, calling them “unfounded and amusing.” The Prime Minister’s office insists that the decision to support Kushner’s projects is about boosting Albania’s tourism industry and not about political favors.
This situation is more than just a local issue; it highlights broader concerns about ethical business practices. When influential people like Kushner and Ivanka Trump are involved, it’s important to ensure that all decisions are fair and transparent. Many worry that Kushner’s past role as a senior advisor in the White House might influence his business opportunities. The rapid growth of his firm, Affinity Partners, and the large foreign investment backing it seem unusual to many.
For countries like Albania, attracting foreign investment is crucial for economic growth. However, it’s essential that these investments are handled with fairness and transparency to avoid corruption. This case reminds us of the challenges that can arise when former public officials enter private business, especially if their past roles might affect their business deals.
The controversy over Kushner and Ivanka Trump’s resort projects in Albania shows how important it is to have clear and fair processes in international business deals. As the situation unfolds, it becomes clear that transparency and accountability are key to preventing corruption and ensuring that business practices are ethical. This case is a reminder of the need for honest and open governance in all business dealings.
Featured image via Political Tribune Gallery
