Between electoral success, European ambition and a justice system that is increasingly close to power, Edi Rama finds himself at the center of a contradiction that defines today's Albania. In a long profile, The Economist describes a prime minister at the peak of his political career, but simultaneously under pressure from a state that is emptying, corruption that is still widespread and a new justice system that makes no exceptions. The portrait that emerges is that of a charismatic leader, strongly connected to the international scene, but increasingly clashing with the consequences of the reforms he himself has supported.
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Full article / The Economist
For Edi Rama, this is both the best of times and the worst of times, but mostly the best of times. In May, Albania’s prime minister was elected to a fourth consecutive term. The country’s gross domestic product has grown by 160 percent, measured in euros, since he came to power in 2013. The war in Ukraine has accelerated Albania’s long-stalled bid to join the European Union, along with Ukraine and other candidate countries. European officials say negotiations could be completed as early as 2027 and Albania could join by 2030.
At the same time, Albania’s population has shrunk from 2.9 million to 2.4 million during Rama’s term. Corruption remains widespread, and SPAK, the country’s independent anti-corruption authority, has brought charges against some of his closest allies. One of his former protégés, the mayor of Tirana, is running the city from a prison cell. Meanwhile, there are accusations that the ruling party has used fines and administrative harassment to pressure citizens to vote for it in May.
“Nonsense,” Rama replies. The tall prime minister, dressed in a black T-shirt, a long, modern jacket and red bracelets, is sipping an espresso in a Vienna hotel, where he is about to speak at an international conference. No other Albanian leader has previously been so well-known abroad. Rama speaks warmly of “Viktor” (Orbán), the right-wing prime minister of Hungary, and has good relations with leftists like Pedro Sánchez of Spain and Mette Frederiksen of Denmark. He collaborated with Giorgia Meloni, Italy’s populist right-wing prime minister, on her stalled plan to send asylum seekers to camps in Albania. On November 13 in Rome, the two governments signed 16 agreements covering areas from energy to security.
However, Rama is seething with anger. SPAK recently filed charges against Belinda Balluku, his deputy prime minister, on suspicion of rigging a tender for an infrastructure project. She denies the charges. Rama says he does not know if she is guilty, but condemns the court’s decision to suspend her from office: “This is unheard of in the history of Europe!”
After SPAK jailed Tirana’s mayor on corruption charges, which he denies, Rama tried to remove him from office. The courts blocked it, forcing the mayor to run the city from behind bars. Rama calls the situation absurd. He describes the anti-corruption authority as “inexperienced, sometimes overzealous and sometimes just plain wrong. But it’s part of the process,” he adds. Albania, Rama says, is building an independent judiciary. If his allies expect to be saved, they are mistaken: “I’m not married to them.”
One of the reasons for Rama’s stated commitment to the rule of law is the lure of EU membership. But that requires approval from all 27 member states. Some skeptics doubt the quality of clean governance in Albania. Many on the populist right, meanwhile, oppose admitting what would be the first Muslim-majority country in the EU, for inherently nationalist reasons. Good relations with Orbán and Meloni may not be enough. Rama says he is reaching out to the leaders of France’s National Rally, but that force remains firmly opposed to further enlargement.
Rama says he would be willing to temporarily waive Albania’s veto on EU proposals and give up the right to have a European commissioner if it would help win over skeptics. In the meantime, he is building other bridges. Jared Kushner, Donald Trump’s son-in-law, has received approval to build a seaside resort in Albania. Rama is also reaching out to the Gulf states. “Their commitment to culture is amazing,” he says. “What Florence did for Europe in the Renaissance is what they are doing for the world today.” When you’re trying to join a club, it’s wise to let them know that you have other options.
/The Economist
