VOA analysis: Student protests marked the main event in Albania in 2018

A series of protests, often and violent, marked during 2018.

The latest student change was followed by a radical change of government.

Half of the ministers covering the key posts left. 2018, however, offered a chance for Albania on the path to integration, while the possibility of opening membership talks seems imminent in the months ahead. Justice reform gave the first results. Tirana launched new chapter of relations with Greece, reopening sea talks

RRUG PROTESTS SE NATIONS

The contract, envisioning payment for the transition to the Nation's Road, was signed that during the previous government, but strong objections began at the moment of implementation. On March 25th, the company at the concession begins testing. The opposition will react immediately by opposing “is double taxation”, says Democrat President Lulzim Basha.

The debate will then be forwarded to parliament. The frequent subx0> users will have choices with the” card, explains Prime Minister Edi Rama. But Mr. Basha retaliates by saying that “You receive an additional 120 million tax flow from gasoline and oil, and then you tell them to come pay the van's street beam”.

The tax, meanwhile, is rejected by residents of the area who do not have an alternative route, as well as by the Kukes Municipal Council. Concern also exists from Kosovo businesses. On March 28, 150 self-transporters protest across the empty border.

A protest manifestation, a few days later, on March 31st, near the payoff site, turns into a violent crash. Towards police forces, who were lined up in front of the sports where taxes flew rocks and heavy items, while fast intervention effectives reacted strongly using rubber sticks. The situation got worse.

As police officers withdrew, protesters stormed down with stones and various tools whose sports booths were later set on fire.

The prime minister appears that same day tense. He accuses the opposition and warns that “with vandals we will behave the way lawbreakers deserve.” For the opposition, the protest proves that “Albanians have ended their patience”. At least 23 protesters are arrested. Their judicial hearing develops into a state of nearly curfew

On April 5th, the opposition, which has been calling for civil disobedience, is blocking for two hours the RHs. The government in turn apologises and makes a withdrawal. “We will not start the payment system without providing the best possible solution for that area”, Mr. Rama declares from the parliament hall. The issue will hold heated tensions and a week later, when opposition deputies will release flour and eggs towards the podium where the prime minister and cabinet members are sitting.

After a series of consultations with residents, the government presents on June 22nd reduced tariffs that will be repaid by the state. All discounts amount to 48.5m euros”, says Finance Minister Arben Ahmetaj. But for this new bill no one is responsible for why he wasn't present in the concession contract.

PROTESTA PER TEARIN

Another protest had started to boil in Tirana earlier. Artists oppose the collapse of the National Theatre. And while the debate in their bosom is alive, the prime minister presents the project on March 12th, making it a fact to carry out the actual collapse: “Out of the 3 thousand square meters of rubble that you have today, you will have 9 thousand square meters available tomorrow, 3-fishing”.

The issue takes on strong and political proportions, and on March 28th, a strong clash between Culture Minister Mirela Godbaro and opposition representatives develops.

The artists' protests do not cease. As with the government on its part, it continues unconcerned, drafting a special law, which more than for the construction of the new theatre, appears to have been sewed according to the private company's project, which will set up multistory buildings.

As the situation tenses, in mid-June, Mayor Veliaj will join the game. He organises several meetings with artists, faces the opposition in parliament, and eventually manages to ease the bloods of a large part of the actors. Another part continues to object persistently, protesting the bill before parliament the day it passes, while opposition MPs in the hall at the moment of voting issue red cards to Prime Minister Rama.

The government has been insisting all the time that the project is an unrecognized company offer “Fusha”, with the claim that it has a share of ownership over land, though no more than three per cent. But it turns out that it is a previously co-ordinated offer with the government. On September 13th on show O PEN of Eni Vasili at Top Channel, the prime minister says that “has requested us, who cannot build in your own hands, is ordering and undertaking the contribution to build the” Theatre. It is the government that has hired the renowned Danish architect Bjarke Ingel for the project, as the latter has publicly admitted to an interview in “Top show”, month of March.

President Meta returns the law at the end of July. In September through a letter, the European Commission requires opening a race. The Socialists accept it, making changes in the law, but it all seems to be a facade, as no other contestants meet at least the condition that they get the approval of all landowners, that is, obtain permission and from the Field Company.

PROTESTA NEW UNAZINE

Since the beginning of November, residents affected by the new ring project daily protest. There are over 300 objects, residence and service buildings that will have to be demolished. More than half of them are under legalisation. Albania's Road Authority and Tirana City Hall representatives explain that permits construction will become expropriation, rent bonus will be offered to others. An offer rejected by the residents.

The protest is moved, and before the municipality on November 13th, where it clashes with municipal police, while manifesters seek to enter the municipal facilities. In the afternoon, the road is completely blocked as waste pots are set on fire.

The democratic party is clearly lined up on their side. The citizens are given the right to protect, their objects, their dwellings, at any rate and at any price of”, says Mr. Basha, who almost daily participates in the public manifestations.

During the protests there won't be a shortage of clashes with the police. But their peak will be November 22nd before parliament. Some cops get hurt. Among them, an employee loses some of the fingers of one hand at the crack of a cap. In the hall, Prime Minister Rama is cut off: “For those of the New Ring, it must be very clear. Whoever has a title of ownership will receive legal compensation and the point will leave. Whoever doesn't have a title of ownership and has only one shelter will receive a three-year lease bonus. Who then has the Union's category, Cameron, Agron, Edmond, Ramadan, to leave as soon as possible, not to appear before”.

The opposition has been talking about an abusive project and a corrupt race in the selection of winning companies. The show “Unexposed” in Nesa 24 reveals on December 6th that the DH Albanian company, presented as the subsidiary of an American society, has forged all documents. In addition to 18m euros for the new ring, it has won and another 12m-euro competition for an energy project. Authorities annul the tender, claiming they had had no doubts, though the company was registered a few months before the race and its representative is an unknown 26-year-old. But a series of data raised strong suspicions that the renowned businessman Bashkim Ulaj is behind.

STUDENT THE PROTEST

In the early days of December, a simple student complaint at the architecture faculty for an additional fee for back exams was suddenly turned into a protest that included all universities. Thousands of students gathered in front of the education ministry, with calls “Ulni tariffs”. Three more were added. On December 6th, Education Minister Lindita Nikola announced the government's decision to lift the fee on back exams. But the next day the requirements were increased, and more, including since the increased education budget, student cards, or improved boarding conditions.

The initial tariff had served as the last drop that poured out the glass of academic discontent and financial inadequacies of students. After seven days of protests at the ministry of education, and abandoning audiences, students moved their gatherings to the government headquarters. Prime Minister Rama expresses himself ready for dialogue with students. “The government does not require negotiations, the government is seeking dialogue”, the head of the government says in a live Facebook communication.

His repeated invitations fell on the steadfast wall of students who refused to enter into communication with Government.

With strong suspicions that, according to him, protests were being rushed and by the opposition, Mr Rama said in parliament on December 13th that the “money, the protest shook the government. Second, the protest struck the opposition”.

He then begins a tour of various universities to hear the complaints of students and professors. But these meetings were delivered on suspicion by young people, who did not give up the protest, which came, however, contracting. As students dispersed because of the holidays, promising a return to the squares in early January, the government approves on December 26th, a package of decisions, which according to it responded to students' demands.

DREJT RRUG BUSEDDERS US ANETESTMENT

Despite the will of European institutions to keep up the hope of Balkan countries becoming and that one day, part of the Union, the scepticism of some member states keeps the gap further narrowing the path towards Brussels

In early February, the European Commission approves the Enlargement Strategy for the Western Balkans, the bed in which the integration process will be moved in the future. For Albania, the Strategy did not bring any new elements.

Waiting for Progress Report by the European Commission to be published at a meeting in Brussels in the European Parliament on March 20th, Prime Minister Rama reiterated that “we think we deserve it, that we fully deserve the opening of membership talks”

On April 17, the Commission makes a clear decision. “I am pleased that the Commission recognised the importance of the tangible progress made by Macedonia and Albania by recommending the Council to open membership talks”, Enlargement Commissioner Johannes Hahn announces the decision.

But it's not everything. For Albania, the most difficult part starts to ensure the unanimous support of all member states. Kic remains Germany's position, where Chancellor Angela Merkel's decision passes through parliament, and France's president, Emanuel Macron, has curbed enthusiasm for enlargement, seeking earlier EU own reform. The two main European leaders, Prime Minister Rama, held face-to-face meetings.

In this context, further complicated and a growing Euroscepticism, it goes towards the Council meeting. The foreign ministers' meeting, June 26th, is under tension. “There are two groupings -- one representing the 25-nation majority supporting the opening of talks until the summer of 2019 -- and the Netherlands, Denmark and France seeking to postpone the” process, Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias declares.

France will release in the last few minutes. The found formula is that of setting the way for opening talks in June 2019, while the European Commission is urged to launch the process of praising the country's legislative framework with that of the EU.

In Tirana, authorities take a sigh of relief, while not lacking a strong debate with the opposition. The European Council defines June 2019 as the starting date for membership talks”, Foreign Minister Ditmir Bushati underlines. But for Democrat leader Basha “there are no opening talks with Albania. There's a one-year extension.

In July, Commissioner Hahn comes to Tirana to formalise the process of passing legislation. First meeting between sides to take place in Brussels in September

V ETT ING, SYSTEMING T E DIRETESE

The reforms are Brussels' top statement, but re-evaluating judges and prosecutors will be the key process. A high number will remain outside the system, while at the end of the year the first two institutions -- the Prosecutor's High Council and the High Judicial Council -- will be established.

The process starts in January with the controversy over the selection of five members that are not among the judiciary and prosecutors, in each of the two councils. The opposition speaks of failing to implement the criteria and, as a result, “corruption of the entire political process that has brought us here”, says PD deputy Oerard Bylykbashi, at the meeting of the special commission for candidate selection. While for the most part this “stance is the blasting of the process”, Socialist MP Klotililda Bushka retaliates.

Disagreements lead to the use of lots. While in parliament, after two consecutive failures, the third time the names released are passed automatically on February 8th.

Revaluation of judges and prosecutors will begin in March. The first phase will be closed only in autumn. Important names of judges and prosecutors cannot pass the test. The process does not even spare the chairman of the Constitutional Court Union Dedja. After surviving the first phase, it is downloaded at the end of December 17th on the decision of the Appeal College “since it does not reach a reliable level of property assessment”. The only one holding the Constitutional keys is Vitore Tusha. Even the Supreme Court remains with only four members.

The overwhelming majority fall because of wealth problems. But there were almost incredible cases like that of Supreme Court member Admir Thanza, who had previously been convicted in Italy of theft.

On the list, former Adriatic General Prosecutor Lella, who left office December 2017, declares withdrawing from the system on February 12th, thus avoiding re-evaluation. But he will face other problems. A few days later on February 15th from the United States comes the announcement that he and his family have been barred from entering American territory, with a decision by US Secretary of State “due to the former Albanian official's involvement in major corruption cases”.

In March, investigations are launched on 4 counts of “lack of property, non-recognition of the money at the border, money laundering and duty waste”. In July on some of his assets are placed sequestro.

Establishment of new institutions is delayed by several months, as the call for candidates from the Court and Appeals Prosecutors will have to be repeated. Their completion becomes possible only in December, paving the way for the fulfillment of existing institutions and the establishment of new ones.

The re-evaluation process follows with other levels and, as it warns on July 12th, during a hearing session in parliament, the chairman of the asset verification Inspector Shkelim Ganaj, nearly half of the firemen and prosecutors, risks being left out: “The Party of Appeals Judges, is the section that has the highest level of problem. Next year we risk remaining and without Court Appeal”.

FROM DET'S FRIENDS With GREECE, T E RASTI “K A CIFA”

Since 2017 Greece and Albania had launched a process of dialogue to address pending issues between them, including the Sea Agreement, which will be negotiated from scratch

Kotzia's Foreign Ministers will hold the second meeting in Korca on January 20th. These are your easy talks, since the theme is broad and time-wide, Mahx1>, explains Minister Bushati.

In February, it calls for President Meta authorisation for launching sea agreement talks. A few days later, the request is denied. Mr. Meta cites the constitutional court's decision raises concern over the object of demand, the composition of the negotiating group and the methodology of talks: “The president can never sign a white letter”. But according to the Foreign Ministry “the process requires caution rather than design an abnormality that does not exist”. For weeks the process will be accompanied by debate, and only on March 19th will the president grant authorisation.

The first round of talks will take place in Tirana on 30 April, a day after Greek Foreign Minister Kotzia's visit. Meetings between parties will be frequent. Greece already recognises the Apostile Seal, and Albanian patents. The process, however, does not go at the anticipated speed, despite how Minister Bushati “expresses itself on a road without a return”

During a meeting early in Davos, the two prime ministers Rama and Tsipras spoke of signing the strategic document in the spring. In July, a second meeting between them is no longer mentioned in London.

At the end of autumn, the killing in the south of the country of minority Kostantinos Kacifas, during a firestone with police, seems to turn sides into old accounts. The exchanges of statements and replicas are intense. President Meta speaks of a provoked event.

The situation is further tense during the funeral ceremony held in a strong nationalist background and extremist calls from several hundred people coming from Greece. The next day Tirana declares 52 Greek citizens unwanted, while Deputy Interior Minister Sander Lisaj deepens that “no one should take our weakness wisdom”. A day later, the same decision is made for the Cypriot Euro-deputet Eleni Theocharous. / VOA