The protest movement in central Tirana entered its 16th consecutive day today, with citizens and activists once again gathering outside the Prime Minister’s Office to demand the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama.
On the evening of the 15th day, the demonstration lasted longer than any previous protest, continuing for nearly seven hours into the early morning. Protesters marched toward Tirana International Airport Nënë Tereza in Rinas but were stopped by police before reaching the airport.
The movement initially began as opposition to a proposed tourism development project in the Pishë Poro–Sazan area, a protected coastal zone. It later evolved into a broader civic mobilization focused on environmental protection, governance, and transparency.
During the demonstrations, protesters have presented five main demands:
- Resignation of the government
- Repeal of the legal framework for strategic investors
- Cancellation of the “Mountain Package”
- Reversal of amendments to the Protected Areas Law
- Reversal of amendments to the Cultural Heritage Law
In addition to these demands, protests in Tirana and other cities have included broader criticism of Albania’s political establishment.
Organizers have announced that demonstrations will continue in the coming days, stating that their demands remain unchanged.
Meanwhile, the European Commission has said it is closely monitoring developments related to the Pishë Poro–Nartë project and has communicated concerns to Albania’s Ministry of Environment regarding potential shortcomings in the project. According to spokesperson Guillaume Mercier, construction activities have been suspended pending a comprehensive environmental impact assessment conducted in consultation with civil society groups.
Separately, Albania’s Special Anti-Corruption Structure, SPAK, has launched an investigation and frozen bank accounts connected to landowners involved in the case, placing approximately $195 million under seizure. Prosecutors are also reviewing a number of court decisions related to land ownership titles, while legal disputes over property claims remain unresolved.
