The protest against Rama continues: Is Albania facing a new political phase?

In Zvërnec, the civic protest has reached its 62nd day. It began as a reaction to the tourist project planned in this area, but over time it has expanded its demands and placed itself at the center of public debate.

In addition to opposing the project, participants have also expressed dissatisfaction with issues related to governance, institutional transparency, and the decision-making process. The broadening of themes has increased public and political interest in the protest.

The fact that the gathering has continued for several weeks has opened the discussion whether citizens’ dissatisfaction has already gone beyond the tourist project, turning into a broader challenge to the government and institutions.

It is still unknown whether the authorities will be influenced by the protest’s prolongation, whether the project will be subject to review, or whether the parties will attempt to reach a solution through dialogue.

For the developments in Zvërnec, the newspaper “Bota sot” has obtained the views of two experts from Albania, Skënder Kapiti and Llesh Ndoj.

Publicist Skënder Kapiti believes that the protest has long left behind its initial motive, gaining national and political dimensions.

In his assessment, the tourist project served as the initial impetus for civic mobilization, while later the movement expanded and became an expression of dissatisfaction with governance and the political class.

Kapiti tells “Bota sot” that the opposition to the tourist project in Zvërnec was the spark that set in motion a nationwide Albanian reaction, giving the protest a strong patriotic and national content. According to him, over time both participation and support from Albanians in all territories and the diaspora increased. He claims that this movement exposed the power and politics of 35 years of transition, which he describes as a treacherous, deceitful, speculative, corrupt, and plundering elite.

According to Kapiti, the demands raised are no longer limited to the Zvërnec project, but aim for political changes in Albania.

He states that the issue now is not only about canceling projects considered corrupt, but also about toppling the government and the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama. Kapiti presents this as the only alternative, for which, according to him, there can be no negotiations with the person responsible for the situation created. He says that any agreement between protesters and Prime Minister Rama would constitute a betrayal of the public interest, because the solution cannot be offered by the one he considers the author of the problems and civic dissatisfaction. In his judgment, the removal of Edi Rama from power would also serve the interest of Kosovo and all Albanians.

Another perspective is presented by publicist Llesh Ndoj, who thinks that the protest has long detached itself from the reason that initially prompted it.

However, according to him, its continuation has highlighted a series of dissatisfactions with the way of governing and the relationship that institutions have built with citizens.

Ndoj tells “Bota sot” that perhaps since the third day the protest no longer relates to the initial motive, i.e. the Zvërnec issue. According to him, the continuity of the gathering proved that dissatisfactions with governance go far beyond the environment or what is called “selling the homeland”. He lists as major concerns the distancing of governance from the people, the lack of willingness to listen, corruption in the administration, and other problems, which he considers both real and perceived.

Despite these issues, Ndoj judges that the movement no longer has the necessary strength to produce concrete changes.

According to him, what is unfolding today can no longer be defined as a protest in the full sense. Ndoj says that only a handful of people remain, who for two months have been repeating the same messages. He describes the participants as few, lacking ideas, and incapable of bringing about change. In his assessment, changes are achieved through politics and elections, whereas this movement does not constitute a political alternative and does not present concrete solutions.

Regarding the institutions’ stance, Ndoj predicts the possibility of some partial interventions, but not a change in the direction followed so far.

He thinks that the government might react with some social measure and even dismiss a minister, but he estimates that such steps will not bring any fundamental change. Ndoj does not expect that the approach to tourism development will change. On the contrary, he argues that Albania should move away from mass tourism and orient towards quality tourism, which requires large investments and serious international investors. In conclusion, he stresses that the main problems remain the justice system and property issues, areas where the government should focus its energies, also spurred by this protest.