Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama seeks to win an unprecedented fourth term, pledging to finally take the country into the EU and turn it into a hot tourist destination with some help from the Trump family.
The artist-turned-politician has been pitching Albania as a trendy coastal destination, which has helped to drive up tourism arrivals to a record 11 million last year. US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, also joined in the rush, pledging to invest US$1.4 billion to turn a largely deserted island into a luxurious getaway.
Rama is expected to win another term after yesterday’s vote. The vote would show whether the latest graft scandals that engulfed some of his closest allies, including the mayor of Tirana, have eroded Rama’s popularity and whether he would still be able to bank on his popularity and keep governing alone.
Photo: REUTERS
The transition of Albania, which was severely isolated under communism that ended in 1992, has picked up during Rama’s 12 years in power. Ambitious tourism, highway and energy projects have fueled the economy, raising living standards. Still, the nation remains one of Europe’s poorest, which has led to a brain drain that reduced its population by about 20 percent during his rule.
Rama based his “European Albania 2030” campaign on the assumption that he is the only leader who can deliver Albania’s EU membership as planned. However, his dominance at the helm of the nation has raised questions about the way the opposition and independent media have been sidelined.
European Commission Vice President Kaja Kallas, who visited the capital last month, said the EU entry goal was “ambitious” but “realistic,” provided reforms are fully carried out.
Rule of law must not only be enshrined in law but also implemented, she said.
Rama is a fan of Trump and has welcomed his disruptive approach to global politics, as it serves as a wake-up call for Europe, the Rama told Bloomberg News in an interview last month.
His administration has built connections with Trump’s inner circle, which culminated with the approval of the posh resort project on Sazan Island, backed by Kushner. The deal is yet to be finalized.
The biggest challenge to Rama’s rule has come from his own ranks after Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj, Rama’s close ally once seen as a potential successor, was arrested over allegations of corruption, money laundering and related crimes.
The arrest reignited public anger over graft. Rama’s party said the probe was politically motivated given the upcoming vote. The prime minister himself has been supportive of the special prosecution office, which was behind the investigation, as its operations have helped the country fight corruption.
Last year, Albania ranked 80th in the Transparency International Corruption Perception Index, up from 98th place the year before. In 2023, it was removed from the gray list by the Financial Action Task Force, the global money laundering and terrorist financing watchdog.
Despite the ongoing changes and Rama’s EU pledges, the youth remain skeptical of Albania’s future, with many leaving for the West. The country’s population has shrunk by almost 20 percent over the past 12 years to 2.4 million.
As a result, the average age has risen to 42.5 years from just 35.3 a decade ago, according to the latest census data. Opposition parties say the government is downplaying the issue.
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