Speakers
– Steffi Lemke, Member of the German Bundestag, Bündnis 90 – Die Grünen, Former Federal Minister for the Environment (2021-2025)
– Gabriel Schwaderer, Executive Director, Euronatur
– Aleksandër Trajçe, Director, PPNEA Environmental Organisation, Tirana
– Gresa Hasa, Phd Researcher, Center for Southeast European Studies, University of Graz

Moderation
– Valeska Esch, Member of the SOG Board; Visiting Fellow, Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik

On the topic
For weeks now, thousands of people in Albania have been protesting against a construction project by the Trump family in a nature reserve on the Albanian coast. In early May, heavy construction machinery suddenly appeared on the beach of the protected Narta Lagoon in the Vjosa Delta and began work on the beach of the Zvernec Peninsula. For some time now, there have been recurring discussions about family members of US President Trump planning to invest heavily in hotel complexes both in the Narta Lagoon and on the Adriatic island of Sazan. The likely illegal construction of an airport just a stone’s throw from Narta triggered harsh criticism from the EU and the German government.

Many people in Albania are protesting against the project, but also against the state of affairs in the country. Following several high-profile corruption scandals involving the Rama government in recent years, the anti-corruption prosecutor’s office SPAK has now also launched investigations in connection with the current project. Civil society in Albania sees these developments not only as evidence of fundamental problems with corruption in the country, which, against the backdrop of the tourism boom, threaten the country’s unique natural environment. It also sees the danger that corruption and the disregard for EU environmental standards could ultimately jeopardise the country’s accession to the EU.

What lies behind the coastal project, what is happening in Albanian society, and will the protests develop into a political movement? These and other questions will be discussed during the online event with our distinguished panel.

Please register for this online discussion via the link below.