Albania’s Rama starts fourth term as PM, targets EU membership

Albania’s Prime Minister Edi Rama has been confirmed for a historic fourth consecutive term by the country’s parliament, solidifying his leadership in the Balkan nation. The Socialist Party leader, who ran unopposed, secured 82 votes in the 140-seat assembly, marking another majority victory following May’s elections. During his address to lawmakers, Rama emphasized his commitment to steering Albania toward European Union membership by 2030, declaring it the cornerstone of his new mandate. ‘European Albania is the guiding compass for every aspect of our program and the metronome for the rhythm of every reform we will undertake,’ he stated. However, Albania’s path to EU integration faces significant hurdles, including widespread corruption and its reputation as a hub for money laundering linked to drug and weapons trafficking. In a bold and controversial move, Rama recently appointed an AI-powered bot named Diella to oversee public tenders, aiming to curb corruption. Diella, introduced via a video address, asserted its role as a facilitator rather than a replacement for human oversight. The opposition has vehemently criticized the appointment, labeling it unconstitutional and potentially exacerbating corruption. Sali Berisha, leader of the Democratic Party, accused Rama’s mandate of being ‘based on crime, corruption, drugs, and the violation of the Constitution.’ The lack of parliamentary debate on the new government further fueled opposition discontent. Despite these challenges, Rama remains steadfast in his vision for Albania’s future within the EU.