Democratic Party MP, Klevis Balliu, has denounced the "Smart City Albania" project, raising questions about the cost increase, the lack of competition in the selection of the company, and the potential risks to the security of citizens' data. According to Balliu, the project, presented in April 2024 at a cost of about $60 million, has turned into a contract worth $118.5 million in less than a year. The Democratic MP claims that this cost increase has not been accompanied by a convincing technical or financial explanation from the government, while also raising questions about the manner in which the contract was concluded. According to him, the US has raised suspicions about the contracting company Presight AI, part of the G42 group, for links to Chinese intelligence services. "The contracting company, Presight AI, part of the G42 group, which has been the subject of repeated concerns by senior United States institutions for documented links to entities linked to the military and intelligence apparatus of the People's Republic of China. Two US Congressional committees have formally requested assessments and investigations into these links, considering them a matter of strategic importance for security," he said. Another concern raised by him is related to the fact that the contract was concluded without an open competitive procedure. statement Edi Rama's government is placing another burden on the shoulders of Albanians, amounting to $118.5 million, for 'Smart City Albania', a project that raises serious questions about transparency, the administration of public funds, and national security. In April 2024, the project was presented at a cost of about $60 million. Within less than a year, without any convincing technical or financial explanation and without any competition, the cost had increased to $118.5 million. Albanians are being asked to pay double the bill, while the government has not