Draft law on agricultural land, clash in committee: Gjiknuri votes against and leaves after debate with Manja

Today, the Committee for Legal Affairs and Public Administration held its next meeting, where among the main topics was the review of the draft law “On some additions and amendments to law no. 9244, dated 17.6.2004, ‘On the protection of agricultural land’, as amended”.

One of the points that sparked discussions was the possible impact of placing wind farms on agricultural land. The first to come out against was PD MP Oerd Bylykbashi, who argued that these structures require drilling into the ground and a large concrete platform, which according to him would damage the land.

In the same line, SP MP Damian Gjiknuri positioned himself, who voted against article 1 of the draft law together with the two PD MPs.

Then, he asked for explanations from the representatives of the relevant directorate, who in turn insisted that the structures would be placed directly on the ground, without using concrete foundations.

“To install a wind farm tower, it is 100 meters tall and there is no chance it can be placed without a concrete structure. We are talking about very tall towers. I am not convinced by your explanations,” Gjiknuri stated, among other things.

The debate intensified also at the moment of voting on the draft law as a whole. Strazimiri asked to continue with questions about the ambiguities that, according to him, remained open, but was stopped by chairman Manja. The clash extended also to Gjiknuri and, after strong exchanges, he left the meeting.

Strazimiri: I have questions.

Manja: They were exhausted.

Strazimiri: But I haven’t graduated from agricultural high school. I have questions for you.

Manja: Yes.

Strazimiri: The fact that the draft law has also introduced the note “wind”, there is a problem here. It is an instrument that is handed also to irresponsible people in the future. The urgency you have for this law means you are doing damage. You are not letting us clarify.

Manja: Alright, you three (Bylykbashi, Strazimiri and Gjiknuri) found the rabbit in the brambles.

Gjiknuri: One second, because we didn’t clarify, give me the floor.

Manja puts the law to a vote and approves it, while considering Gjiknuri’s vote as an abstention.

Gjiknuri: Will you give me the floor or shall I leave entirely.

Ulsi: You can leave, stay with your abstention you. Deal with Oerdi.

Gjiknuri: Alright, I’m leaving.