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Protests/ Italian MEP criticizes Rama: Don't ignore citizens' demands

Politiko 2026-06-19 08:27:27

Protests/ Italian MEP criticizes Rama: Don't ignore citizens' demands

Italian MEP Cristina Guarda has reacted to the recent protests in Albania, calling on the government to take into account citizens' concerns and increase transparency in issues related to environmental protection.

Through a reaction on social media, Guarda focused on the vote in the European Parliament of an amendment related to the Vjosa-Narta area, emphasizing that it was approved with broad support, despite the objections of the Albanian government.

According to the MEP, concerns about the development of projects in protected areas are not only related to the environment, but also to the way decisions that affect the public interest are made. She criticized the development model that, according to her, favors narrow economic interests, while leaving expert opinions and the demands of local communities in the background.

She also called for a moratorium on new projects in protected areas until full legal guarantees are established for their preservation. According to her, peaceful protests by citizens show commitment to democracy and the public interest, and their voices should be heard.

The MEP's post

Our article on the Vjosa-Narta area was approved by a large majority, but Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama did not receive it well at all. As Greens, we have chosen to take a clear stance against actions in one of the most sensitive areas of Albania, the result of an exploitative tourism and development model that ignores the alarms of the scientific community and the demands of civil society, privileging the economic interests of a few.

In the annual report on Albania that we voted on yesterday in Strasbourg, we recognized steps forward and an ever-increasing closeness between Albania and Europe, but it is not enough. There are still many aspects where we need to work in an integrated manner, and the peaceful protests of these days shed light on them because they show us a place where people are committed to the common good, overcome private interests and unite for democracy, to choose together for the fate of their territory, which is a political project. 

Freedom of the press, corruption, pressure on the judiciary, minority rights and today also environmental protection: the challenges are still many. We demand an immediate moratorium on new authorizations, construction sites and projects until there is protection of protected areas. Let's stop this model, let's listen to the demands of those who come out in the open.

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