Albania's Edi Rama secures historic fourth term as PM, vows no delay in efforts for EU membership

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama and his Socialist Party on Wednesday (May 14) won a historic fourth consecutive term, confirming the Albanian people’s continued support for his leadership.

Rama took the election with more than 52 per cent of the vote– his largest ever election victory.

Rama’s longtime rival Sali Berisha, whose opposition alliance trailed Rama’s Socialists with 34.2 precent, said on Wednesday he was not yet giving in.

“It’s going to be a new summer day for Albanians. We will get our fourth mandate, and we will not lose a single day for Albania 2030 in the EU [European Union],” Rama said.

He has vowed to lead the Balkan nation of 2.8 million people to EU membership, marking a new phase in its democratic and economic development. This is also understood to be a step in the direction of convince the young people of Albania not to emigrate.

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“Between the stars of Europe and the darkness of the abyss, Albania has chosen the stars,” the basketball-playing PM told the crowd of hundreds on Wednesday.

Presently, Rama is gearing up to welcome leaders of the European Political Community, a forum bringing together 47 European countries, for a gathering in Tirana on Friday.

UK’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer and EU chiefs Ursula von der Leyen and Antonio Costa are set to hold talks with the Albanian leadership on Thursday (May 15).

Albania-India relations

Dikshu C. Kukreja, Honorary Consul General of the Republic of Albania to India, noted, “This historic fourth term opens a promising horizon for Albania- not only in its regional aspirations but also in its global engagements. We look forward to advancing comprehensive bilateral relations between Albania and India.”

Kukreja added, “As vibrant democracies, both countries share deep-rooted values in culture, economic collaboration, and Infrastructure capacity building. The coming years offer immense potential to further strengthen our ties across education, tourism, trade, and innovation.”

With inputs from agencies