Democratic Party MP Ina Zhupa, known for her continued commitment to the protection of cultural heritage and especially for her battle against the administration of the Butrint National Park, has stated that amending Law No. 27/2018 on Cultural Heritage and Museums is one of the protesters' most just demands.

Zhupa recalled that he has twice submitted a draft law to remove concessions from this law, but it was rejected by the parliamentary majority.

According to her, the current legislation allows private individuals to prevail over the state in the administration of cultural assets, endangering national identity and treating Albanian heritage as a commercial commodity.

The MP emphasized that the cases of Butrint and the BID/TID model in Durrës demonstrate the urgent need to restore the state's guarantor role over the country's cultural heritage.

Full reaction

I twice submitted the draft law to remove concessions from Law No. 27/2018 “On Cultural Heritage and Museums”. The first time, on May 11, 2022, it was discussed in committees, but it was shelved until the end of the legislature. I re-filed it on September 29, 2025, but the majority rejected it on February 19, 2026 with the absurd reasoning that the private sector should not be prevented from taking over the administration of cultural heritage.

Today, one of the most just demands of the protesters is precisely the amendment of this law. Because this law has treated cultural heritage not as a national asset, but as a commercial commodity for clientelistic and lobbying interests. We too are once again re-depositing in the assembly this initiative of mine that was born precisely from the infamous Butrint concession.

The current law places the private sector above the state in the administration of cultural heritage, creating a concessionary model that contradicts the spirit of the Constitution. The Constitution of the Republic of Albania charges the state with the duty to protect national identity and cultural heritage, not to delegate it to foundations or private interests.

Today we have concrete evidence. In Butrint, the Butrint Management Foundation and the AADF have been placed above state institutions. In Durrës, with the BID/TID model, the same logic is being repeated. Every step away from the state is a step away from the public guarantee of our history and identity.

Therefore, this protest is not just for today. It is for the Albania of generations to come. Twice our voice was rejected in the Assembly. Now is the time for this change to come with the strength of the voice of Albanian citizens. May the third be true.