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Thousands join protests in Albania demanding Prime Minister Edi Rama's resignation
Thousands of people in Albania's capital Tirana joined protests demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama and an end to corruption allegations. The demonstrations began in opposition to a luxury resort project involving Jared Kushner and evolved into an anti-government movement.
Thousands of people in Albania joined protests demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama and an end to corruption allegations. The demonstrations began in May and continued in June with thousands participating in the capital Tirana.
Origin and expansion of the protests
The initial spark for the protests was opposition to a multi-billion dollar luxury resort project planned by former US President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner and his business partners. The project envisions building hotels and villas on Sazan Island, the site of an abandoned Soviet military base, and in the Zvërnec area near the Vjosa-Narta protected zone.
The government argues that the project is on private land and in areas where protected status was removed years ago. Prime Minister Edi Rama stated that the project would undergo a thorough Environmental Impact Assessment, not a standard one, and has no connection to the Vjosa Delta.
International reactions and protesters' demands
The European Parliament demanded that the Albanian government halt construction on protected lands and impose a moratorium on new permits and construction in these areas.
Former Albanian Ambassador Agim Nesho stated that the protests are not against foreign investors, but against the 30-year-long corruption of Prime Minister Edi Rama's and opposition leader Sali Berisha's parties. Nesho claimed that Rama stole the last three elections and secured a supermajority not recognized by the US.
The Under Report's Editor-in-Chief Eric Czuleger documented the growth of the protests. Czuleger reported that Rama first denied the existence of the protests, then characterized them as a 'hybrid war' instigated by Iran and Russia.
Protesters' expectations and future concerns
Albanian actor and artist Florjan Binaj said the protests are the largest demonstrations to occur in the country since 1991. He stated that protesters want Rama to resign to pave the way for an alternative government.
Eric Czuleger noted that Albanians fear both that nothing will change and that something bad could happen if the Rama government steps down. Czuleger stated that the only things that will bring change are patience, pressure, and the movement clarifying its goals.
Agim Nesho expressed that protesters have risen up against allegations of billions of dollars in corruption in one of Europe's poorest countries, and that the only way forward is the government's resignation and early elections under international observers.
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