BIRN: Tourism investments in Durres spark accusations of electoral gains

A few days after the official launch of the campaign for the May 11 parliamentary elections, Prime Minister Edi Rama stopped at the "Taulantia" promenade along the city's coastline to inaugurate another rehabilitation project.

Accompanied by Mayor Emiriana Sako, Rama presented the works as part of a strategy to strengthen local tourism and enliven the city's nightlife during the summer season.

"There will also be other spaces on the promenade that will give a lot of adrenaline to tourism, afternoon walks, weekends and nightlife," said Rama, who emphasized the economic potential of the works.

The project on the “Taulantia” promenade, an area that has undergone several reconstructions over the past decade, is just one of several works being carried out in parallel in other coastal areas. Similar works are taking place on the Big Beach and in the segment from “Shkozet Junction” to “Train Station,” as well as in peripheral areas that have suffered for years from a lack of infrastructure.

But for his political rivals, the timing of these investments is no coincidence. The opposition has denounced the projects as "electoral works" driven by political calculations that, instead of improving the tourist experience, cause chaos, chaos and pollution on the eve of the tourist season.

Opposition candidates in the coastal city accuse the government of using public funds for campaign purposes, questioning not only the purpose of the projects, but also their efficiency and planning.

"At the beginning of the tourist season and in the middle of the campaign, the Durrës municipality destroys the promenade in the area where the restaurants are located," wrote Oerd Bylykbashi, the opposition coalition candidate for the Durrës Region, in a social media post.

When questioned by BIRN, the Durres municipality said in a written response that the rehabilitation works in the beach area were not related to the election campaign.

"Over the years, the Municipality of Durrës has taken measures to improve the infrastructure in beach areas, by rehabilitating all aspects of the roads, lighting, sewerage, etc.," she said.

Rama is seeking a fourth term in the May 11 parliamentary elections, and Durrës is considered one of the key districts where it will be decided who will govern the country for the next four years.

Data from the Durrës Chamber of Commerce and Industry shows that over 1,200 businesses are linked to coastal tourism. According to the Durrës Municipality, around 1.5 million visitors visited the city last year, and authorities aim for this figure to increase in the coming season.

“Every year, reconstructions start on the eve of the season, creating roadblocks, dust and urban clutter,” said Artan Luku, a candidate for the Alliance for Greater Albania. He added that visitors don’t come to see excavators, but for a relaxing experience, which he said is lacking at most beaches.

"Many attractive destinations lose their value simply due to the lack of functional roads, lighting and signage," said Luku.

Representatives from the majority reject the criticism. Klodiana Spahiu, a candidate for the Socialist Party, said the work has been planned in time and is being carried out at the most appropriate time. “During the winter, the works are impossible due to weather conditions,” she said.

Spahiu emphasized that the second phase of the Grand Beach promenade is nearing completion and is expected to be completed within May. According to her, the projects have been welcomed by citizens, while the road infrastructure in the city has improved significantly thanks to investments by the municipality and government funds.

Artan Kacani, a candidate for MP in Durrës from the "Together Movement" party, who is an urban planner by profession, said that government projects often lack coherence and vision.

“Local businesses are among the main victims of this situation,” Kacani stressed. “The lack of infrastructure not only significantly reduces the number of tourists who choose to visit more isolated areas, but also discourages new investments,” he concluded./ Reporter.al