The fourth protest against construction in the protected area of Zvërnec has started from Skënderbej Square. Citizens are demanding the cancellation of the project as well as the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama and the cabinet ministers. But it seems that today will be different, due to the measures taken by the police for the Albania-Israel match, where the boulevard has been blocked with a metal fence. Meanwhile, the chief of police Skënder Hita stated that no protester will be allowed to pass through the boulevard area. Therefore, it is not known what will happen to the protest under these conditions.
The third rally was held yesterday, where the “Martyrs of the Nation” boulevard was filled with citizens who, for three hours in a row, from 18:00 PM to 21:00 PM, issued slogans against the government and presented a series of demands. The slogans were directed against both sides of politics, where there was no shortage of chants of “Rama in prison, Berisha in prison”.
Protesters are demanding the cancellation of the construction project in the Zvërnec area, calling it an encroachment on a protected area and accusing the government of favoring private interests over public property. On the other hand, they claim that various investors are profiting from state-owned land unfairly.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Edi Rama, at the conference held yesterday together with the President of the Council of Europe, was asked about the event in Zvërnec.
"Investment doesn't stop as long as I'm here," he said.
Excerpt from Rama's speech:
Despite being a bit off topic, but I will not shy away from it, this SPAK has two parts, there is the positive part that belongs to SPAK and there is the ugly part that belongs to the self-proclaimed spokespeople of SPAK. The positive part is the part of the investigation into the origin of a property. As long as this is a problem raised rightly or wrongly, we do not know. Then, much talked about, all the more so as long as this rumor is related to an ongoing investigation, as far as the subject is concerned, it is positive that SPAK investigates the origin of this property. I urge this investigation. The ugly part, that of the self-proclaimed deputies who share half-truths. After all, the investors who are today the owners of the property, based on Albanian legislation, following all procedures, are investors with an irreplaceable reputation. It has resulted to be totally legal and income from financial institutions with a global institution. This issue should be divided into two parts. Investors are in their own right, blocking transactions is arbitrary, and blocking the transfer of money to the owner is a matter of the investigative body's right. I consider this positive... In case the investigation reveals another origin of the property, those who claim and have the right to that property can get that money and all parties are happy, except the party that has cheated in case they have cheated. There is no chance that the investment will stop while I am here. But we need to clarify what the claims are about...
