Albania’s Prime Minister Faces Calls for Resignation Amid Tenth Day of Protests
Poinews.com – On Wednesday night, a significant number of Albanians marched en masse through Skënderbej Square in Tirana, marking the tenth consecutive day of demonstrations. The crowd, rallying near the capital’s central hub, was heading toward parliament, where they voiced their demands with slogans such as “Rama in prison, Berisha in prison.” This phrase alludes to Sali Berisha, the former prime minister and current leader of the Democratic Party. The protests, initially sparked by opposition to a tourism development in Pishe Poro and Sazan island, have expanded into a broader critique of government policies.
Organisers highlighted that the movement gained momentum after concerns emerged about a proposed investment by a firm connected to Jared Kushner, Donald Trump’s son-in-law. The project, targeting a protected coastal zone, has since become a catalyst for wider discontent. Protesters now insist on five main objectives: the government’s resignation, the removal of laws favoring strategic investors, the withdrawal of the Mountain Package, the reversal of changes to the Protected Areas Law, and the repeal of amendments to the Cultural Heritage Law.
The government defends the development as a transformative initiative for Albania’s economy, aiming to boost its position in high-end tourism and advance EU membership. The plan includes two parts: a coastal project in Narta Lagoon, a wildlife reserve, and a resort on Sazan, an island that once served as a military base during the communist era. Prime Minister Edi Rama recently attributed the opposition to bots, antisemitic narratives, and foreign entities, claiming these forces are inflaming tensions.
On Tuesday, a European Commission representative urged Albanian authorities to “act without delay” to prevent setbacks in the country’s EU accession bid. The spokesperson, Guillaume Mercier, emphasized that Chapter 27 of the accession process requires alignment with environmental standards. “Albania should avoid actions that could compromise its progress toward meeting this benchmark,” he stated.
Despite the government’s assurances, the protest movement remains steadfast. Organisers declared the rally a nationwide show of support, insisting their demands remain unchanged as they prepare for further demonstrations in the coming days. The event coincided with the anniversary of the League of Prizren’s founding, a historic moment symbolizing Albanian unity.
“Albania should refrain from actions that could undermine the fulfilment of the closing benchmark, in this case Chapter 27, and so we expect the Albanian authorities to act without any delay,” spokesperson Guillaume Mercier said, referring to the chapter of EU accession talks which requires a candidate country to align with environmental rules.
