Rama aims for 4th term, Bloomberg: In the last 12 years Albania shrank by 20%, young people skeptical about the future

Edi Rama is seeking to win an unprecedented fourth term as prime minister, vowing to finally lead Albania into the European Union and turn it into a hot tourist destination with the help of the Trump family.

The artist-turned-politician has pitched Albania as a trendy seaside destination, helping to boost tourist numbers to a record 11 million last year. Jared Kushner has also joined the rush, pledging to invest $1.4 billion to transform a largely deserted island into a luxury resort.

With the support of about 45% of voters, Rama is expected to win another term on Sunday, after polling stations close at 7 p.m. The vote will show whether recent corruption scandals involving some of his closest allies, including the mayor of Tirana, have eroded Rama's popularity and whether he will still be able to rely on his popularity and continue to govern alone.

Albania's transition, which was severely isolated under communism that ended in 1992, has accelerated during Rama's 12 years in power. Ambitious tourism, highway and energy projects have boosted the economy, raising living standards. However, the country remains one of Europe's poorest, leading to a brain drain that has reduced its population by about 20% during his rule.

Rama based his "European Albania 2030" campaign on the assumption that he is the only leader who can achieve Albania's EU membership as planned. But his dominance at the helm of the nation has raised questions about the way the opposition and independent media have been sidelined.

Kaja Kallas, the bloc's foreign policy chief, who visited the capital last month, said the goal of EU entry was "ambitious" but "realistic," provided reforms were fully implemented. The rule of law must not only be enshrined in law but also enforced, she said.

Trump fan

Rama is a fan of US President Donald Trump and has welcomed his disruptive approach to global politics as a wake-up call for Europe, the prime minister told Bloomberg News last month.

His administration has built ties with Trump's inner circle, culminating in the approval of the luxury resort project on Sazan Island, backed by Kushner, President Trump's son-in-law. The deal has not yet been finalized.

Contagious corruption

The biggest challenge to Rama's rule has come from within his own ranks, as Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj, Rama's close ally and once seen as a potential successor, was arrested on charges of corruption, money laundering and related crimes.

The arrest reignited public anger over corruption. Rama's party said the investigation was politically motivated with an eye on the upcoming vote. The prime minister himself has supported the special prosecutor's office, which was behind the investigation, saying its operations have helped the country fight corruption.

In 2024, Albania was ranked 80th in Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index, down from 98th the year before. In 2023, it was removed from the grey list by the Financial Action Task Force, the global watchdog on money laundering and terrorist financing.

Albanians Leave

Despite ongoing changes and Rama's promises for the EU, young people remain skeptical about Albania's future, with many leaving for the West. The country's population has shrunk by almost 20% over the past 12 years to 2.4 million citizens.

As a result, the median age has risen to 42.5 from just 35.3 a decade ago, according to the latest census data. Opposition parties say the government is downplaying the issue. Translated by  Bloomberg