TIRANA, Aug. 24 /ATA/ – Citizens in Tirana held their 86th consecutive protest on Monday evening, initially opposing a planned investment in coastal area of Zvernec, southern Albania, and later expanding their demands to include the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama and the government.
As in previous protests, demonstrators gathered in Skanderbeg Square before marching along Martyrs of the Nation Boulevard towards the Prime Minister’s Office, voicing opposition to the project as well as concerns over policies affecting protected areas and strategic investments.
One protester also criticised the new “Pasqyra Albania” digital platform unveiled by Rama after a cabinet meeting in Pogradec earlier today, calling it another attempt by the government to shift responsibility for the country’s problems onto the state administration.
“We reject it because ‘Pasqyra Albania’ is nothing more than a rebranding of the ‘Albania We Want’ co-governance platform,” the protester said.
Demonstrators reiterated demands for Rama’s resignation, the removal of the country’s “old political class”, repeal of amendments to the protected areas law and changes to electoral legislation.
The protests, which began over the environmental impact of the planned tourism project in Zvernec, have broadened to include political and institutional demands, as well as concerns over corruption, employment opportunities and youth emigration.
/m.q/j.p/r.e/u.sh/
