Sali Berisha unveils Democratic Party environmental plan, calls situation a national emergency

The leader of the Democratic Party, Sali Berisha, presented his party’s environmental platform on Monday, declaring the current state of pollution, deforestation, and ecological degradation in Albania a national emergency.

Why is this important: Albania continue to grapple with significant environmental challenges, particularly air pollution and the lack of an effective waste management system. Despite this, environmental concerns generally rank low on the list of voter priorities. The fact that Sali Berisha has suddenly given environmental issues such a prominent place in the Democratic Party platform will potentially pressure other political actors to join the debate on how to confront these persistent challenges.

Context: Accusing the government of abandoning its responsibilities, Berisha criticized the ruling Socialist Party for alleged mass deforestation. He dismissed the government’s pledge to plant one million trees as a sham, alleging that hundreds of thousands of trees have instead been cut down.

“They talk about the Maldives, but we have some of the most polluted coasts in Europe. Municipalities refuse to pay for electricity to operate waste treatment plants, leading to an environmental catastrophe,” Berisha stated.

In addition to concerns over air and water pollution, Berisha raised alarms about the destruction of forests, pastures, and biodiversity. He accused the government of cutting subsidies for reforestation, medicinal plants, and fruit cultivation, while amending laws to benefit construction companies that encroach on protected areas.

“The law was changed to open the doors for the construction mafia in these areas. Today, nothing is protected anymore,” Berisha declared.

Further accusations: Berisha also linked environmental degradation to organized crime and drug trafficking, claiming that illicit activities are driving economic instability. He argued that the collapse of the euro has hurt the export of Albania’s prized medicinal and aromatic plants, which once held significant economic potential.

“The government has created a paradise for money laundering. While traffickers build towers, honest businesses are suffocated. The damage is evident in both our environment and our economy,” he said.

The opposition leader pledged that a Democratic Party government would prioritize restoring environmental protection policies, supporting sustainable agriculture, and ensuring transparent management of public resources.