LanaGate

LanaGate is a political scandal that took place in December 2011. In 11th April 2011, Former Chairman of Transport for Albania, Endrit Urbano made an agreement with LanaProject to make a renovation of its nearby park, river water quality and river bridges. The project would cost 6.6 million dollars. The renovation was projected to cost 6.6 million euro and was projected to start in June 2011. This was delayed and postponed to September 2011. Approval rating of this project fall from 82% to just 43%. The delay was criticized by many representatives, senators and local politicians, including some Albanian Alternative politicians. In September 2011, minor constructions started with very slow progress or no progress at all. By October, there were barely any changes, expect construction barriers. In 18th October 2011, the work stopped. This caused many protests by the locals which demanded the works to continue as planned. Endrit Urbano said: "Works will continue soon". However, they never did. This made his approval rating 13% and approval rating of the project 22%. In November 2011, LanaProject removed all construction barriers, revealing the barely constructed area. In December 2011, LanaProject filled bankruptcy leaving this project without any hope. This sparked large criticism and protests. Chairman of Transport for Albania, Endrit Urbano had no justifications and after calls for resignation he continued to insist that everything is fine. He later on, got removed by vote of Regional Parliament after the court suggestion. A trial started on the case, which concluded that Urbano and Agatino had connections before the project. None was punished, however the 6.6 million euro were not returned by the bankrupt company with the justification that they had gone bankrupt. In it's peak protests had 15,000 protesters.