In a press statement on Thursday, Bozdo said he had sought full details on companies registered in the park, their owners, physical business addresses, and financial benefits received from tax exemptions.

“This information will help shed light and ensure full transparency on a highly sensitive matter, unfolding publicly as one of the largest tax evasion schemes, and this time, uniquely designed and facilitated by the Albanian government,” he claimed.

Bozdo argued that no European Union member states had a “virtual park” model granting tax exemptions, calling government references to European models “completely false.”

He said the EU framework rewards real economic activity – people, laboratories, and on-site work – while the Durana model provides 100% tax exemptions based solely on registration, with no real physical or economic connection.

According to Bozdo, the scheme contravenes international standards under the EU and OECD’s Nexus approach within the BEPS plan, aimed at combating tax avoidance and artificial profit shifting. He added that Durana creates an unfair advantage for a small group of companies, harming legitimate IT businesses.

Bozdo described the Durana tech park project as “a flagrant case of state capture.”

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During her visit, Zhupa voiced deep concern for the affected families and criticized the lack of immediate response from local and central authorities.

She emphasized that all residents have been impacted, and many feel hopeless about what lies ahead.

“We are here not only to offer moral support but to demand that the government and the municipality fulfill their legal obligations,” opposition MP stated. She called for the urgent creation of a joint task force made up of representatives from both local and central government to conduct a house-by-house assessment of the damages.

Zhupa stressed that beyond documenting the losses, authorities must ensure full and prompt monetary compensation for the affected families so they can rebuild and restore their lives.

She warned against repeating the same poor crisis management seen during previous fire emergencies.

“It is essential that the compensation process be swift, effective, and complete. Only then can we give these communities hope and the chance to remain in their villages and continue life in Albania,” Zhupa concluded.

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The opposition MP claimed that Albanian farmers lack support, while IPARD funding of around 120 million euros provided by the European Union has been diverted through corrupt schemes in favor of oligarchs.

“Instead of increasing domestic production, imports are surging by 20%. Albanian products cannot be sold abroad and are no longer available in supermarkets. Farmers have been abandoned by the state and are facing increased taxes, reduced subsidies and a total lack of attention from the government,” Tabaku stated

The MP called for a change to Albania’s economic model, urging increased agricultural subsidies, lower taxes, concrete support for farmers and more incentives that would help increase domestic product.

She also urged full transparency in government spending, equal distribution of public funds, and an end to clientelism and corruption.

Commenting on the new 250 million funding line focused on small and medium-sized enterprises, with agriculture as a primary area of support, Tabaku said that farmers need real support instead of bank loans.

“Farmers need real support rather than bank loans. This government must stop corruption and invest where Albanians need it most, in rural and agriculture development,” Tabaku concluded.

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In a press statement, Zhupa said that the opposition has condemned the proposal forwarded by 12 Socialist lawmakers to change the law on protected areas, stating that the “new legislation changes would cause an environmental disaster to the detriment of the public and disastrous to these areas.”

According to her, the new law has been strongly objected by environmentalists, environmental experts and civil society organizations, claiming that changes to the law would allow authorization of construction projects and other activities in the protected areas.

She urged the head of state to respect his Constitutional position and return the law to parliament.

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Speaking to reporters after parliament session, where the 2024 state budget draft law and fiscal package were adopted in principle, Bardhi stated that “surrounding parliament with Republic Guard officers” was unconstitutional and unprecedented.

Opposition lawmakers blocked the podium and built a barricade of chairs in the central hall of Parliament, lit flares and smoke bombs to disrupt today’s session.

“You should hold Parliament Speaker accountable after she lied by denying the unlawful order she issued on Saturday to overcrowd Parliament with Republican Guard officers,” Bardhi told reporters.

“Albania is a NATO member and expects to join the European Union. Lawmakers were surrounded by security forces today, as if we were in a war state,” he said.

He claimed that the “presence of Prime Minister Edi Rama was the reason why Parliament hall was overcrowded by Republican Guard members.”

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Opposition lawmaker Çollaku said that he had asked PM Rama to withdraw from the Open Balkan initiative and end the disproportionate ties with Serbia and President Aleksandar Vucic.

The opposition MP claimed that the reason for putting forward a motion for debate with the government head went beyond the political battle.

“I think that the Premier should clarify his and his government’s actions, statements and stance vis-à-vis Kosovo and the tense situation in northern Kosovo,” Çollaku said.

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