The coastal city of Vlore was, until recently, a secret to many outside of Albania, surrounded by some of the most unspoilt nature reserves in Europe, a haven for rare bird watching and a stop-off on the way to the capital of Tirana. That was all before Donald Trump’s family showed an interest.
The global spotlight has now been shone on the city, with bemused residents finding themselves at the centre of a political storm involving the presidential hopeful, his daughter and sonin-law, and accusations of foreign corruption.
Earlier this year Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared Kushner revealed surprise plans to invest in the Balkans, including in the coastal area of Zvernec just north of Vlore, one on an island near the city, and one in Serbia’s capital Belgrade. In Albania, a country fearful of corruption, residents are suspicious of the plans known locally as “Trump villas”.
The projects will be Kushner’s biggest yet, using his private equity fund Affinity Partners – financed largely by investors in Saudi Arabia. The former top aide to his father-in-law set up the firm after stepping down in 2021.
The overall investment in Albania is expected to exceed a billion dollars, including luxury hotels and villas totalling thousands of new rooms. The island hotel is set to be operated by the exclusive Aman brand, boasting previous guests such as Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg.
But with the US presidential election just weeks away, Kushner’s funding has Democrats concerned. The Senate Finance Committee has dragged the former president into yet another political scandal over fears the project will bring foreign influence on US politics.
Bu hikaye The Independent dergisinin October 21, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye The Independent dergisinin October 21, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
Why Is Starmer So Against An EU Youth Travel Scheme?
The prime minister has once again been urged to agree to a limited scheme to allow young people to travel freely between the UK and the EU for the purposes of work or study, and has once again signalled his refusal to consider it.
Why home advantage has lost its sting in Test series.
“The tour is only a matter of hours old, but the wry thought occurs to me that reputations will almost certainly be destroyed in the next few months.”
North can't compete with south's individual X factor
Ex-Lions captain Sam Warburton has a theory why southern hemisphere teams have dominated the autumn internationals
Aimless Villa stagger to bore draw against Juventus
Aston Villa and Unai Emery have run out of ideas, far too early in the Spaniard’s previously exhilarating revolution.
Reds humble Real and Slot does what Klopp could not
A few weeks ago, it was possible to look at Arne Slot’s seemingly impressive start at Liverpool, adopt a sceptical tone and ask who they had really beaten.
Vauxhall's closure shows No 10 must recharge EV rules
Electric vehicles aren't selling in the volume anticipated and James Moore says government is right to order a swift review
Nationwide banks £2bn in takeover of Virgin Money
Nationwide has gained £2.3bn following its acquisition of Virgin Money, according to the firm’s half-year results.
Red Sea boat survivors were trapped in cabins, says diver
Two Britons who were on the yacht remain unaccounted for
Record snowfall leaves Seoul scrambling to cope
Transport chaos and power cuts hit city as two die on roads
Myanmar junta chief faces crimes against humanity charge for Rohingya deaths
Arrest warrant requested by International Criminal Court
