Parliament Leaders’ Conference rejects opposition’s request on Inquiry into Durrës Port Project

The Parliament Leaders’ Conference has rejected a request from 35 opposition MPs to establish a parliamentary inquiry committee aimed at investigating the legality of procedures surrounding the Durrës Port project. The inquiry sought to examine the approval of the “Durrës Yachts & Marina” project, the concession sale to Schapha, and the construction of a new port in Porto Romano.

The ruling Socialist Party argued that Parliament cannot investigate itself on such matters, as constitutional oversight is the jurisdiction of the Constitutional Court, which is set to review the legality of the project in January. Additionally, the Socialists dismissed the proposal as a political maneuver designed to create instability ahead of the May 11 parliamentary elections.

Why is this important: The opposition’s requested inquiry would have lasted six months, overlapping with the critical pre-election period. During election seasons, Parliament’s activities, including those of inquiry committees, are limited, making the establishment of such a committee practically unfeasible. The Democratic Party has a history of opposing projects proposed and implemented by their Socialist rivals for political gain. When in power, the Berisha government halted several projects initiated by the Municipality of Tirana, then led by Edi Rama, even demolishing some under construction on questionable grounds without awaiting court rulings. In opposition, the Democrats have continued this pattern, at times organizing protests—some of which turned violent—against projects that later proved to be highly popular and contributed significantly to the Socialists’ electoral successes.

Context: The Democratic Party (DP) and its allies have attacked the Durrës Port project from day one. They have raised doubts and significant concerns, questioning the balance between public and private benefits. The opposition claims that the state’s contributions far outweigh the value it receives in return, calling into question the transparency of the agreement. A further issue being raised stems from the termination of a management contract for the eastern terminal of the port with the German company EMS Shipping Trading GMBH, which filed an arbitration case against Albania in April 2023. Opposition MPs also suspect that the tender process for the Porto Romano port that will substitute the Durrës Port has been manipulated, alleging that it was predetermined to favor certain actors, although the tender has not even been announced yet. 

The Government on the other hand has accused the Democrats of acting in bad faith and attacking the project in order to scare off the investor, as they have attempted to do in numerous cases. They also point out that besides the billions injected directly in the economy of Albania and the thousands of jobs it will create, the strategic project will also help put Albania on the map of Mediterranean destinations. 

Moving forward: With the opposition’s request denied, the focus shifts to the Constitutional Court’s January review of the project. This decision could set a critical precedent for future public-private projects in Albania. Meanwhile, the rejection of the inquiry adds another layer of tension to the already polarized pre-election political landscape.