Prime minister says he would share protesters’ outrage if allegations against Zvërnec investment were true
TIRANA, June 12 (BV) – Albanian Prime Minister defended his government’s handling of a controversial development project in the protected coastal area of Zvërnec on Friday, as anti-government protests entered their 13th consecutive day and tensions escalated in the capital.
Addressing supporters during celebrations marking the 35th anniversary of the ruling , Rama directly appealed to demonstrators who have led daily protests against the project and broader government policies.
“These days have not been easy for me either,” Rama said. “I ask those who are protesting to listen to me, because unlike many others, I take responsibility for every fact I present before the citizens.”
The prime minister said he would be equally angered if allegations made against the project proved true.
“If what many of you have been led to believe were true, I would be just as outraged as some of you appear to be,” Rama said.
The protests, which began nearly two weeks ago, initially focused on opposition to a planned tourism and infrastructure development in the environmentally sensitive Zvërnec area on Albania’s southern coast. They have since evolved into a broader movement criticizing corruption, governance and political elites.
Demonstrators accuse the government of favoring private interests at the expense of public land and environmental protection. Protest organizers have also called for political reforms, greater transparency and, in some cases, the resignation of Rama and early elections.
Rama rejected accusations that the project threatens biodiversity and the natural environment, arguing that misinformation spread through social media had distorted public understanding of the investment.
“We are living through a period where many countries have fallen into the trap of manipulation through social networks,” he said. “Anyone genuinely interested in protecting the environment, biodiversity and the future of wildlife should know that the facts available to us are sufficient to reassure everyone.”
The prime minister reiterated his willingness to engage in public dialogue with critics of the project, a proposal he has made repeatedly during the protests.
The dispute over Zvërnec has become one of the most politically sensitive issues facing Rama’s government since its re-election, with opponents portraying the project as a symbol of what they describe as unchecked development and weak institutional oversight.
The government, meanwhile, argues that major foreign investments are essential to modernizing Albania’s economy, boosting tourism revenues and accelerating the country’s path toward European Union membership.
Earlier on Friday, clashes broke out outside the prime minister’s office between protesters and supporters of the Socialist Party after the ruling party’s anniversary celebrations, prompting police intervention.
Despite the growing tensions, organizers have pledged to continue peaceful demonstrations, while the government insists the project will proceed unless evidence emerges that legal or environmental standards have been violated.