Day 16 of Protests: Citizens Expected to Gather Again in Front of the Prime Minister’s Office

*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-(–header-height)” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”4ae04181-9761-406f-9d16-55a0a840124c” data-turn-id-container=”4ae04181-9761-406f-9d16-55a0a840124c” data-testid=”conversation-turn-13″ data-scroll-anchor=”false” data-turn=”user”>

The protest on Tirana’s Central Boulevard enters its 16th day today, with citizens and activists once again calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama.
*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(–header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”request-WEB:e0d73d65-af79-4afc-9170-4d52382bb8c4-6″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:e0d73d65-af79-4afc-9170-4d52382bb8c4-6″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-14″ data-scroll-anchor=”false” data-turn=”assistant”>

On the evening of the 15th day, the demonstration lasted longer than ever before, continuing for nearly seven hours until the early morning. Protesters marched toward Rinas International Airport but were stopped by police.

The protest, which initially began as a reaction against the planned tourism project in the Pishë Poro–Sazan area, has now evolved into a broader civic movement. The demonstrations were sparked by opposition to the proposed investment in a protected area and later expanded into a wider mobilization of citizens.

Throughout the protests, participants have put forward five main demands: the resignation of the government, the repeal of the legal framework governing strategic investors, the cancellation of the Mountains Package, the reversal of amendments to the Law on Protected Areas, and the repeal of changes to the Law on Cultural Heritage. Demonstrations in Tirana and other cities have also included calls against the entire political establishment.

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 communicated its concerns to Albania’s Ministry of Environment regarding potential shortcomings of the project. Spokesperson Guillaume Mercier said that work on the project has been suspended and that a comprehensive environmental impact assessment is expected to be conducted in consultation with civil society.

At the same time, Albania’s Special Anti-Corruption Structure, SPAK, has launched an investigation into the matter. Prosecutors have frozen the bank accounts of the landowners and placed under seizure $195 million that had reportedly been transferred to them by businessmen from Qatar.

The prosecution office is also reviewing a number of court decisions related to land ownership titles, while legal disputes over land claims in the area are said to remain unresolved.

The post Day 16 of Protests: Citizens Expected to Gather Again in Front of the Prime Minister’s Office appeared first on Euronews Albania.

Original post Here

News
Ibrahimaj: New Foreign Investment Screening Mechanism Strengthens Economic Security and Investor Confidence

Minister of Economy and Innovation Delina Ibrahimaj said Albania’s new Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) screening mechanism will strengthen economic security and increase investor confidence. She made the remarks during the event “Albania’s Foreign Direct Investment Screening Framework,” organized by AmCham Albania in cooperation with Center for International Private Enterprise. The …

News
Customs Administration Prepares Businesses for EU Common Transit System

Albania’s Customs Administration is advancing the implementation of the New Computerised Transit System (NCTS), a major step toward integration with the European Union’s Common Transit Convention. To support the process, customs authorities are conducting dedicated training sessions for system users. In these activities, representatives of the company developing the platform, …

News
EU: Kushner-Linked Project Must Meet European Environmental Standards

EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos said Albania has assured the European Commission that the €1.4 billion tourism project linked to Jared Kushner will fully comply with EU environmental standards. The Albanian government pledged to carry out a full environmental impact assessment. It also committed to following all EU rules on …