Citizens are continuing their protests this Wednesday, marking the 11th consecutive day of demonstrations, with their main demand being the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama.
As in previous days, protesters gathered at 6:00 p.m. in Skanderbeg Square before marching toward the government headquarters. Speeches by organizers, activists, and citizens are expected to take place there, after which the protest will extend to several of the capital’s main roads.
This Wednesday’s gathering has been described as a nationwide protest, with organizers calling on Albanians living abroad to take part as well. They have linked the date to the anniversary of the founding of the League of Prizren, viewing it as a symbol of national unity.
At the same time, similar protests are being held in several other cities across the country, including Korçë, Vlorë, and Elbasan.
The movement, which initially began as a protest against the tourism project planned in the Pishë Poro and Sazan area, has now evolved into a broader civic mobilization. It started following opposition to the planned investment in a protected area and later expanded into a wider protest movement.
Throughout the demonstrations, protesters have put forward five main demands: the resignation of the government, the repeal of the legal framework and status for strategic investors, the cancellation of the Mountains Package, the repeal of amendments to the Law on Protected Areas, and the repeal of amendments to the Law on Cultural Heritage. Demonstrations held in Tirana and other cities have also included calls against the entire political class.
Organizers have announced that the protests will continue in the coming days, stating that their demands remain unchanged.
Meanwhile, the European Commission has stated that it is closely monitoring developments in the Pishë Poro–Nartë area and has conveyed its concerns to the Ministry of Environment regarding possible shortcomings in the project. Spokesperson Guillaume Mercier said that construction activities have been suspended and that a comprehensive environmental impact assessment is expected to be carried out in consultation with civil society.
In addition, Albania’s Special Anti-Corruption Structure (SPAK) has launched an investigation into the matter and has frozen the bank accounts of the landowners, placing under seizure $195 million that had reportedly been transferred to them by brothers from Qatar.
The prosecution authority is also reviewing a number of court decisions related to property ownership titles, while legal disputes concerning land ownership claims are said to remain unresolved.
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