Former Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berisha has welcomed the opening of Albania’s EU accession chapters, calling it an important milestone. Yet, his comments also included sharp criticism of Prime Minister Edi Rama, who he claims is undermining democratic principles and delaying Albania’s true progress.
Berisha pointed to an ongoing debate within the European Union about the region’s future, highlighting the influence of regional leaders like Rama and Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vu?i?. According to Berisha, some EU members view the Balkans as unfit for full membership, suggesting the region should remain a partner rather than an accession candidate.
“The continuation of the integration process is positive, but there are serious concerns,” Berisha stated. “Albania does not meet any of the criteria to sit at the negotiating table, and there are several reasons for this.”
Among the issues Berisha raised were what he described as ongoing electoral violations. He referred to reports from the OSCE, which have labeled Rama as a “person who rigs elections”, and argued that political persecution continues to be widespread. “In Albania, you’re persecuted for your political views,” Berisha added. He also criticized the country’s judiciary, accusing Rama of controlling it. Moreover, he claimed Albania has become a “narco-state” where corruption thrives unchecked.
Berisha went on to accuse Rama of corruption, pointing out that land has been distributed at inflated prices and that luxury developments are being built without proper documentation. “Rama’s building ‘Dubai City’ in Durrës, with ties to Lukashenko’s Alabar,” Berisha said. “It’s all for him and his circle.”
Amid these accusations, Berisha reiterated the opposition’s commitment to civil disobedience. “We believe in an independent judiciary, in a justice system that follows the law,” he said. The Democratic Party, Berisha vowed, will continue its efforts for a technical government, one that would restore fairness in elections. “In free elections, Rama’s party will suffer a defeat even worse than what Ramiz Alia’s party faced in 1992,” he added.
While Berisha remains critical, the opening of EU accession chapters represents a significant step for Albania, marking its path toward deeper European integration. But with internal and external tensions running high, the political landscape remains unpredictable, with Berisha and the opposition promising to keep up the pressure.
