Serbia Approves Controversial Trump Linked Property Deal

Protests have erupted over a controversial property deal initiated by the US president's son-in-law.

sarah

Nov 8, 2025 - 12:11

Serbia Approves Controversial Trump Linked Property Deal

Serbia's parliament has passed a law clearing the way for a controversial property development in the capital Belgrade, led by US President Donald Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner.

His firm, Affinity Partners, plans to build a luxury hotel and apartment complex on the site of the former Yugoslav army headquarters.

The dilapidated building, which was bombed by NATO forces in 1999 to halt Serbia's military campaign in Kosovo, holds symbolic significance for some, who view it as a memorial and a symbol of ongoing resistance to the military alliance.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, who has cultivated close ties with Trump, has supported the plans despite protests and legal challenges.

Last year, the Serbian government stripped the building of its protected status and agreed to a 99-year lease with Kushner's firm, which planned a $500m (£379.9m) development.

The decision sparked protests and an investigation into whether any Serbian officials had manipulated documents used during the process of changing the building's status.

In a conversation in June, President Aleksandar Vučić defended the proposal, saying it was "important to move on from the burden of 1999".

He added: "We are ready to build better relations with America – I think that is very important for this country."

The stalled planning process culminated on Friday when Vučić's party – which holds a majority in parliament – pushed through and won a special vote to clear the site.

Opposition politicians have called the decision unconstitutional, including Aleksandar Jovanović, who described it as a "crime" and told the AFP news agency that the historic building would be replaced by "casinos and jacuzzis". Meanwhile, center-left lawmaker Marinika Tepić said the government was sacrificing the country's history "to please Trump," Politico reported.

The passage of the law has also been criticized by architecture experts, and it comes after Transparency Serbia, an anti-corruption organization, raised concerns about the state-backed development.

According to Serbian media reports, Trump had previously considered building a hotel in Belgrade before his first presidential election. Last March, Kushner told the New York Times that he was unaware of his father-in-law's alleged previous interest.

This decision to clear the way for the development comes at a time when Vučić's government is seeking to maintain good relations with both Washington and Moscow.