Agron Shehaj Accuses Edi Rama of Preparing “Agricultural Land Grab” Through New Foreign Ownership Law

 Agron Shehaj, leader of the Opportunity Party, has launched a fierce attack on Prime Minister Edi Rama over a proposed law that would allow foreign citizens and foreign companies to acquire ownership of agricultural land in Albania.

 Agron Shehaj displays the text of the draft law, denouncing what he characterizes as a mechanism to deprive Albanian citizens of public assets

In a public statement, Shehaj described the draft legislation as a mechanism designed to transfer valuable Albanian land into the hands of individuals connected to the government, rather than a genuine effort to attract investment or align Albanian legislation with European Union standards.

According to Shehaj, current legislation prevents state-owned agricultural land from being sold to foreign citizens or foreign-owned companies. He argues that removing these restrictions would open the door to the acquisition of vast areas of farmland by entities linked to powerful business interests, including offshore companies.

“The government claims this is about investment and European integration, but the real objective is to distribute Albanian agricultural land to political allies, oligarchs, and companies hidden behind offshore structures,” Shehaj said.

The opposition leader stressed that more than 100,000 hectares of agricultural land remain under state ownership and should instead be returned to their legitimate owners. He accused the government of ignoring unresolved property issues while creating legal avenues that could facilitate the transfer of public assets.

Shehaj further claimed that the proposed legislation represents another example of what he described as the misuse of state resources for private interests. He warned that the measure could have long-term consequences for Albania’s rural communities and agricultural sector.

Calling the proposal “scandalous,” Shehaj urged citizens to oppose the bill and linked the issue to the ongoing anti-government protests. He argued that public resistance would prevent what he characterized as another attempt to deprive Albanians of public assets.

The leader of the Opportunity Party concluded by renewing his call for Prime Minister Edi Rama’s resignation, arguing that the proposed law demonstrates a pattern of governance that prioritizes the interests of political allies over those of ordinary citizens.

The draft law is expected to generate significant debate in the coming weeks, as supporters and critics clash over its potential impact on foreign investment, property rights, and the future of agricultural land ownership in Albania.