Bombshell on "Albanian Files"/ OMA Architect: Rama becomes king, it is easier for us to continue working

Accusations that Edi Rama has turned Albania into a personal project, drawing an Albania according to his wishes, are further strengthened by a letter published in the book Albanian Files.

Dutch architect Reinier de Graaf, one of the directors of the OMA studio (Office for Metropolitan Architecture), wrote to the prime minister that for architects it would be better if Albania did not hold any more elections and he continued to govern as "lifelong president, maybe even king".

On page 550 of the book, the letter is dated March 3, 2025 and was written from Rotterdam. Initially, writes politiko.al, de Graaf expresses appreciation for the transformation of Albania, describing the country as a model for coexistence, development and architecture.

However, the part that has attracted the most attention is the end of the letter, where the architect writes that for the architectural profession it would be better if the elections were canceled, writes Politiko.

" For us architects it would be better if the upcoming elections were simply canceled. I would go even further."

"Given Albania's status as a supporter of architecture, our profession would benefit greatly if the country never had elections again and if you, after your fifth term as prime minister, were to continue as president for life - perhaps even king ," the letter states.

Further, de Graaf argues that in a world where autocracies are gaining ground, he would prefer “ a benevolent autocrat with taste.”

The letter is part of the book Albanian Files and is published on page 550, while the author, Reinier de Graaf, is one of the most well-known figures of the Dutch studio OMA, founded by the renowned architect Rem Koolhaas. 

Also, in his statement to the media, the leader of the Democratic Party, Sali Berisha, published what he described as evidence of investments in the south of the country, saying that Prime Minister Edi Rama has designed 523 resorts through architectural studios, of which 53 are under construction and 47 others are awaiting approval of permits.

According to Berisha, for most of these projects, the developers or buyers are not made public, while he claimed that behind them are people with criminal records, mentioning the names of Salvador Aliu and Franc Çopja.

The chief democrat also presented images of the project that is expected to be built in the Gjipe Canyon, an issue for which he said he is currently in legal proceedings due to previous statements.

Berisha called on international law enforcement agencies to investigate transactions related to these projects, while claiming that all investments are documented in a book that, according to him, Edi Rama has kept hidden from the public.

Referring to the project in Gjipe and Livadh in Himara, Berisha accused the prime minister of appropriating the most coveted areas of the coast and said that luxury projects are being developed without the identity of the developers being made public.