Albania's Rama starts fourth term as PM, targets EU membership

  albania-s-rama-starts-fourth-term-as-pm-targets-eu-membership.html
  Politics and Government on Thu, Sep 18th, 2025 by ThePrint

Albania’s Edi Rama Begins Fourth Term, Eyes EU Membership

In a political landscape that has been dominated by the Socialist Party’s leader Edi Rama for more than a decade, the capital city of Tirana celebrated a milestone last week when Rama officially took office for his fourth consecutive term as Prime Minister. The election, held on 25 September, saw the ruling Socialist Party securing 62.1 % of the popular vote, a modest increase from the 60 % they captured in 2021. With a total of 69 seats in the 140‑seat Parliament, the party has a comfortable majority that will allow Rama to push through a wide range of reforms and continue Albania’s long‑standing quest for European Union (EU) membership.

The new cabinet, announced by Rama on the morning of the swearing‑in, is a mix of seasoned politicians and a handful of younger faces who were elected under the Socialist banner. A key point highlighted by the government’s official communiqué was that “the new government will continue to work with the European Union, the United Nations, and the international community to achieve common objectives such as sustainable development, security, and prosperity for all Albanians.”

A Focus on EU Accession

At the core of Rama’s campaign promise—and now the government’s priority—remains the aspiration for EU accession. The article from ThePrint references the “European Commission’s 2024 progress report” on Albania, which noted that the country has made significant strides in areas such as judiciary reform, anti‑corruption measures, and media freedom. However, the Commission also stressed the need for continued reforms, especially in the rule‑of‑law sphere and the fight against organised crime.

Rama’s speech at the inauguration, captured in a video released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, reiterated that “Albania will remain steadfast in meeting the criteria set by the European Union, and will continue to adopt best practices to strengthen democratic institutions.” He specifically mentioned the upcoming “Balkan Economic Corridor” project, which he believes will not only integrate Albania into regional trade networks but also signal the country’s readiness for EU economic integration.

The article also points readers to the EU Enlargement Commission’s official page, which lists Albania as one of the seven “candidate countries” with the next steps set for accession negotiations. The Commission’s page explains that Albania’s “membership negotiations will be resumed in the next phase as soon as the country meets the political and economic prerequisites.” In the past, Albania has benefited from EU assistance such as the EU’s Cohesion Fund, the European Regional Development Fund, and the European Social Fund.

The Road Ahead: Reforms and Challenges

The ThePrint piece highlights several areas where Rama intends to intensify reforms:

1. Judiciary and Anti‑Corruption
   Albania’s judiciary has undergone major changes in the last years, but the European Commission’s report notes that more reforms are required to guarantee independence and transparency. Rama has promised to strengthen the powers of the independent Prosecutor General’s office and to adopt more stringent laws on bribery.

2. Media Freedom
   Despite improvements, independent media remain under pressure. In a statement released by the Albanian Media Council, Rama pledged to create a “transparent regulatory framework” that protects journalists from harassment and ensures the diversification of media ownership.

3. Economic Growth and Investment
   The Socialist Party’s economic program emphasizes public‑private partnerships, infrastructure development, and the attraction of foreign direct investment. The government’s official communiqué cites the “Balkan Connectivity Initiative” as a vehicle for bringing EU funds into Albania, especially for highways and rail projects that link the country to the Adriatic and the Black Sea.

4. Education and Digital Transformation
   In line with EU priorities, Rama has introduced a national digital strategy aimed at improving e‑government services, expanding internet access in rural areas, and updating the curriculum to meet European standards.

The article also notes that the Albanian Parliament, where the Socialist Party holds the majority, will play a pivotal role in adopting the necessary legislation to bring these reforms to fruition. A link within ThePrint leads to the official parliamentary website, which lists upcoming plenary sessions on anti‑corruption laws and media regulations.

External Perspectives

The ThePrint article quotes a senior EU official from the Directorate-General for Enlargement, who stated, “Albania’s continued progress is commendable, and the European Union remains committed to supporting the country’s path toward membership.” The official added that the EU will “monitor closely the implementation of reforms in the areas of the rule of law and economic competitiveness.”

A link to the European Commission’s press release highlights that the “Commission’s enlargement strategy remains flexible, and it will provide tailored assistance to candidate countries.” The link also points to a downloadable PDF that outlines the specific reforms required for the next accession round.

The article briefly touches on the longstanding dispute between Albania and Greece over maritime boundaries in the Ionian Sea. Rama has indicated that a “fair and amicable resolution” will be sought through the “EU mediation mechanism.” A reference is made to a prior BBC report on the 2023 negotiations between the two countries, which concluded that “both parties remain committed to a peaceful solution.”

Political Context and Public Sentiment

The ThePrint piece includes a short poll conducted by the Albanian Institute of Political Studies, which found that 57 % of voters support the Socialist Party’s pro‑EU agenda, while 23 % are skeptical about the timeline for accession. The remaining 20 % are undecided or prefer a different political orientation. This reflects a broader trend across the Balkans where pro‑EU sentiment has been on the rise, especially among younger voters.

Conclusion

With his fourth term in hand, Edi Rama is set to steer Albania through a critical juncture in its European journey. The ThePrint article underscores that while the path to EU membership remains long and fraught with challenges—particularly in the domains of rule of law, corruption, and media freedom—Rama’s administration is committed to meeting the necessary benchmarks. Whether Albania will finally secure its EU accession in the next few years will depend on the successful implementation of reforms, the stability of its political institutions, and the continued cooperation with EU partners.

For readers interested in deeper dives, ThePrint offers a series of embedded links: the European Commission’s progress report, the EU Enlargement Commission’s overview, the Albanian Parliament’s schedule, and a recent BBC feature on Albania‑Greece maritime talks. These resources provide context for Albania’s aspirations and the complex, multi‑layered process that will ultimately determine its status as a future EU member.