Thousands of people in Albania have 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 a former 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 has 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 achieved 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 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 said that the only things that will bring change are patience, pressure, and a clarification of the movement's goals.
Agim Nesho said 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 for the government to resign and hold early elections under international observers.
