62nd Day of Protest in Zvërnec: Signs of a New Political Phase in Albania?

The civic movement in Zvërnec has continued for 62 days. Initially launched in opposition to the tourism project planned for the area, the protest has since broadened its demands and become a subject of wider public debate.

Over the weeks, participants have moved beyond opposing the project, also voicing concerns about governance, institutional transparency and the decision-making process. As a result, the developments have drawn the attention of both the public and political figures.

The prolonged protest has sparked discussion over whether public discontent has now moved beyond the tourism investment issue and evolved into a broader challenge to the government and institutions.

It remains unclear whether its continuation will influence the authorities’ decisions, whether the project will be reviewed or whether the parties will seek to reach a solution through dialogue.

Regarding these developments, the newspaper “Bota sot” sought the views of experts from Albania, Skënder Kapiti and Llesh Ndoj.

Publicist Skënder Kapiti considers the protest a movement that has long since moved beyond its original cause, taking on, in his view, national and political dimensions.

In Kapiti’s assessment, the tourism project served merely as the starting point for civic mobilization, while the reaction later expanded to encompass dissatisfaction with the way the country is governed and with the political class.

Kapiti told “Bota sot” that opposition to the Zvërnec project became the spark for a nationwide Albanian movement with a strong patriotic and national character. He says that, over time, the protest grew not only in numbers but also gained the support of Albanians across all Albanian territories and in the diaspora. According to him, it unmasked the government and the political establishment of the 35-year transition, which he describes as a treacherous, deceitful, exploitative, corrupt and predatory elite.

He argues that the demands now being raised are not limited to the Zvërnec project but seek political change in Albania.

According to Kapiti, the issue is no longer simply the cancellation of projects deemed corrupt, but the overthrow of the government and the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama. He calls this the only alternative and says there can be no discussions or negotiations with the person he considers responsible for the situation. In his view, an agreement between the protesters and Prime Minister Rama would constitute a betrayal of the public interest, because a solution cannot be offered by the person who, according to Kapiti, caused the problems and public discontent. The publicist says the solution is Edi Rama’s removal from power and that this would also serve the interests of Kosovo and all Albanians.

Publicist Llesh Ndoj offers a different view, arguing that the protest has long since become detached from the reason that prompted it.

Nevertheless, according to Ndoj, the movement has brought to light a range of grievances related to governance and the relationship between institutions and citizens.

In his statement to “Bota sot,” he says that perhaps as early as the third day, the protest was no longer connected to its original cause, namely Zvërnec. According to him, its continuation showed that dissatisfaction with governance extends far beyond the environmental issue or what has been described as the “sale of the homeland.” Ndoj lists the government’s detachment from the people, its unwillingness to listen, corruption in the administration and other issues as the main problems, describing them as both real and perceived.

Despite this, Ndoj believes the movement no longer has the strength needed to bring about tangible change.

He says it can no longer be defined as a protest in the fullest sense of the word. According to him, only a small group of people remains, repeating the same messages for the past two months. Ndoj describes them as few in number, short on ideas and incapable of bringing about change. He emphasizes that change is achieved through politics and elections, while this movement, in his view, neither represents a political alternative nor offers concrete solutions.

Regarding the institutions’ stance, the publicist foresees the possibility of some limited interventions, but not a change in the overall direction.

Ndoj believes the government may respond with some social measures and may even dismiss a minister, but these actions, in his view, will not make any difference. He does not expect a change in the approach to tourism development. On the contrary, he argues that Albania should move away from the mass-tourism model and toward high-quality tourism, which requires major investments and serious international investors. In conclusion, he identifies the justice system and property ownership issues as the real areas where the government should focus its efforts, spurred in part by this protest.