Democratic Party leader Sali Berisha has presented his version of the protests held in Tirana over the project in Zvërnec to a British media outlet, insisting that the PD does not aim to take political control of them, but supports them as a reaction against the government. At the center of his remarks are claims of legal violations, uncertainty over public land and property ownership conflicts that, according to the opposition, have been ignored by the executive.
Berisha: The position on foreign investment has not changed
According to Berisha, his position and that of the Democratic Party have remained the same from the start: foreign direct investment is welcome only if it respects the law. He said he held this position both when Jared Kushner’s investment was announced and on the day the protests began.
In the interview with TruthTimes, Berisha claimed the issue is not opposition to investment itself, but the way the project and the legal framework surrounding it have, in his view, been handled.
Claims of disputed property and public land
According to the version presented by the PD leader, the protest has highlighted unresolved property disputes, active lawsuits by local residents and uncertainty over the inclusion of public land in the project.
Berisha said the exact area of public land and the terms under which it was given to the investor remain unknown. He also claimed the government was aware of the legal property conflicts but, according to him, ignored them.
Accusations over permits granted amid court proceedings
Berisha argued that a development or construction permit should be granted only after the investor has purchased the land on the basis of title deeds and when there are no longer any active property disputes.
According to him, in the case of Zvërnec, the government acted differently by granting permits while court proceedings were still ongoing. He also claimed that the area’s status as a protected natural landscape, the European Union’s Natura 2000 framework, the habitats and birds directives, as well as the obligation to inform the local community under the Aarhus Convention, were disregarded.
PD distances itself from leading the protest
In his remarks, Berisha said the Democratic Party had consciously chosen not to lead the protest. According to him, PD members are taking part as citizens, without party symbols, while opposition MPs are trying to reflect the protesters’ demands in Parliament.
He said the protest’s demands are directed against Prime Minister Edi Rama and the government, mentioning the resignation of the executive, a non-partisan caretaker administration and the repeal of several laws passed by the majority. These remain positions articulated by Berisha and not independently verified facts.
Clashes with police and message to protesters
Berisha also condemned reported incidents during the protest, including, according to him, the dragging of a peaceful protester by private security in the presence of State Police, as well as the cordoning off of the area with barbed wire.
At the end of the interview, he called on young people to continue the protest, describing it as a civic movement of particular importance. He also praised support coming from abroad, including from European parliamentarians and international media.
Berisha’s statements once again place the debate on how a project of high public interest is being managed, with questions over legality, property and transparency still unresolved.
So far, the source material does not present a government response to these claims made by the opposition leader.