"The protests over Zvërnec are increasingly becoming a symbol of civic dissatisfaction with the government." This is stated by DP MP Ina Zhupa, who, in a reaction on World Environment Day, argues that the protest over Zvërnec is not only related to an environmental issue, but also to broader concerns about the way of governance.

According to her, opposition to Law 21/2024 began from the moment it was submitted to Parliament, while the opposition and civil society organizations have warned that the law paves the way for construction in protected areas.

Zhupa recalls that parliamentary battles, citizen protests, discussion tables and legal initiatives have been held against this law, including its submission to the Constitutional Court by the Democratic Party.

The MP emphasizes that the recent protests should not be seen as an isolated reaction, but as an expression of dissatisfaction accumulated over the years. According to her, as in other historical cases, a specific issue can become a symbol of revolt against broader problems perceived by citizens.

statement
Today, on World Environment Day, it is the duty of each of us to bring back to attention the battle waged for the protection of protected areas and Albanian nature. This is not a cause of the day, but a responsibility towards the country, our natural heritage and future generations. From the moment it was submitted to the Assembly, Law 21/2024 was opposed by me and the Democratic Party as a bespoke law, drafted for certain interests and not for the public interest. We have denounced it from the first day that concrete construction projects in protected areas were hidden behind it. Prime Minister Edi Rama publicly confirmed what we had warned, linking the law to specific projects that he had personally committed to, which we still do not know today.

We have not only waged a parliamentary battle against this law. I have protested side by side with civil society, I have organized roundtable discussions throughout Albania with activists, experts and citizens, I have raised my voice in every public and institutional forum to protect protected areas.

I have also demanded accountability through parliamentary interpellations. But the majority chose to handle this issue irresponsibly, cutting the debate short in just a few minutes during a session that showed a complete lack of will to listen to the arguments and concerns of citizens.

I called on the President of the Republic not to decree this law. Subsequently, the Democratic Party sent it to the Constitutional Court with 37 signatures of deputies. I had the honor of being the representative deputy in this process. Unfortunately, the Constitutional Court was divided in a ratio of 4 to 4 and, due to this tie, was unable to express itself to overturn the law.

However, the battle has not stopped for a single day. On May 14, I submitted to the Assembly the draft law for the repeal of Law 21/2024, immediately following the European Parliament resolution expressing the need for the repeal of this law in Albania. This initiative was undertaken before the start of the recent protests, proving that our commitment to this cause has been continuous and unwavering.

For those who ask the protesters: “Where were you before?” First of all, they are coming together today, and better late than never. History teaches us that often a concrete event becomes a symbol of the accumulated dissatisfaction in a society and awakens a civic reaction. Just as the case of street vendor Mohamed Bouazizi in Tunisia became a symbol of the revolt against the injustices that led to the Arab Spring, today the defense of Zvërnec and the protected areas is becoming a symbol of civic resistance against arbitrariness and the capture of public interest.

One of the most worrying aspects of this battle is the disinformation machine that has been set in motion against protesters and environmentalists. Instead of responding to the legitimate concerns of citizens, representatives of the majority have chosen to fuel a campaign with fake profiles, false news and coordinated attacks. Taulant Balla, as the political leader for the Diaspora and one of the main figures of the majority, must publicly clarify the role of the structures that are spreading disinformation and trying to discredit a cause that has the protection of the public interest at its center. He is known for patronage structures in Greece and from there they fabricate news to sell here, anathematizing patriotic Albanian protesters. Then there are pseudo-patriotic deputies who are also Sarandis who have never heard a word about Butrint, about Manastir, about the Navy, but they remember to invent imaginary enemies with buses with artificial intelligence.

The protesters' five demands are also our five demands. They represent the protection of protected areas, respect for the law, transparency, accountability, and the placing of public interest over private interests.

For this reason, I have also addressed the Delegation of the European Union, requesting attention and support for this issue. The protection of protected areas is not only an environmental issue, but also an issue of the rule of law, respect for European standards and the protection of the public interest.

Today, on World Environment Day, I want to express my full support for the citizens who protest and protect Albanian nature. They deserve respect and gratitude, because they are protecting a treasure that belongs not only to today's generations, but to all Albanians and generations to come.

We remain in this battle until the complete repeal of Law 21/2024 and the restoration of full protection for Albania's protected areas. Nature has no voice in institutions; therefore, it is our duty to speak and act on its behalf. No one is against investments, when they are in accordance with nature, the law, public consultation and transparency.