By Zenel Celiku
Director of Albanian Independent News Agency “TIR-FAX”
It is clear to the Albanian people that politics is in crisis, especially as the opposition continues to rely on methods from 32 years ago. The Albanian opposition has proven incapable of confronting the current government, despite its many problems over 12 years in power. It is impossible to lead an opposition with figures like 80-year-old Sali Berisha, the head of the Democratic Party, who carries numerous criminal charges and has been labeled by the US State Department as persona non grata for significant corruption and undermining democracy.
For major corruption, Berisha spent nearly a year under house arrest. However, the Court for Corruption and Organized Crime (GJKKO) strangely ruled in his favor, deciding to lift his house arrest. Regarding his criminal charges, Albania’s Special Prosecution against Corruption (SPAK) has appealed this decision, seeking to have him placed under house arrest again, as his freedom could threaten the investigation by destroying the evidence already collected.
It should be noted that Berisha also faces other serious criminal charges, which are currently under investigation by SPAK. Berisha has led the Democratic Party for 34 years, ruling it with an iron fist and treating it like a personal family business.
After emerging from house arrest, he immediately began attacking the opposition, SPAK, and its head, even labeling SPAK a criminal organization. Even more disturbing was his statement two days ago, where he referred to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken as a puppet of George Soros. He portrayed Blinken as a character manipulated by US diplomats in Tirana and further accused him of being influenced by Prime Minister Edi Rama to impose the persona non grata designation against him.
While Albania has opened EU accession chapters and is striving to be ready for EU membership by 2027, Berisha called on “his soldiers” from his home region in Europe (many of whom are residents there) to protest on December 23 in front of all Albanian embassies, throwing tomatoes and eggs. Meanwhile, using the opposition as his personal tool, Berisha declared that December 23 will be a day of protests in all Albanian cities against the government’s actions.
With this, Berisha, now facing off against the US State Department, the EU, and SPAK, is clearly seeking to destabilize the country. But his ambitions extend beyond Albania—he has close ties with radical elements in Kosovo. Therefore, while Albania’s political and economic stability could be severely affected, Kosovo might face similar instability.
Two days ago, Berisha was confronted with an official stance from the US Embassy in Tirana, which declared that the State Department does not cooperate with persona non grata individuals and that the US has no intention of changing its position on Berisha. Just one day earlier, US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, Alexander Kasanof, publicly declared that the US fully supports SPAK, commending its significant work in exposing radical figures in politics (referring to Berisha and some of his ultra-radical followers) and praising the work of the Albanian government under Prime Minister Rama.
Many analysts and media have praised the American and EU positions (which strongly criticize Berisha), interpreting them as the end of his political career. However, for Berisha to be removed from politics, justice must take its course because he faces serious charges.
It’s true that the government has its own sharp issues after 12 years in power, but if it faces an opposition that is radical and criminalized, then, despite its flaws, this government remains the lesser evil for the next four years. This is why Albanian politics remains bogged down in endless debates that only serve to tarnish the country’s image and protect the leaders burdened with serious accusations.
