His Excellency
Edi Rama
Rama in 2023
33rd Prime Minister of Albania
Assumed office
11 September 2013[1]
PresidentBujar Nishani
Ilir Meta
Bajram Begaj
DeputyNiko Peleshi
Ledina Mandia
Senida Mesi
Erion Braçe
Arben Ahmetaj
Belinda Balluku
Preceded bySali Berisha
Chairman of the Socialist Party of Albania
Assumed office
10 October 2005
Preceded byFatos Nano
Chairperson-in-Office of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe
In office
1 January 2020 – 1 January 2021
Preceded byMiroslav Lajčák
Succeeded byAnn Linde
40th Mayor of Tirana
In office
11 October 2000 – 25 July 2011
Preceded byAlbert Brojka
Succeeded byLulzim Basha
40th Minister of Foreign Affairs
In office
21 January 2019 – 31 December 2020
Serving with Gent Cakaj
Prime MinisterHimself
Preceded byDitmir Bushati
Succeeded byOlta Xhaçka
22nd Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports
In office
2 October 1998 – 26 October 2000
Prime MinisterPandeli Majko
Ilir Meta
Preceded byArta Dade
Succeeded byEsmeralda Uruçi
Personal details
Born
Edvin Kristaq Rama

(1964-07-04) 4 July 1964
Tirana, Albania
Political partySocialist Party
Spouses
​
​
(m. 1986; div. 1991)​
    ​
    (m. 2010)​
    Children
    • Gregor
    • Zaho
    Parents
    Alma materAcademy of Arts
    Signature
    Websiteps.al/familja-jone kryeministria
    Basketball career
    Personal information
    Listed height6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
    Career information
    High schoolJordan Misja Artistic Lyceum
    CollegeTirana University of Arts
    Career history
    0000Dinamo Tirana
    0000Albania national team

    Edi Rama (born Edvin Kristaq Rama on 4 July 1964) is an Albanian politician, painter, writer, former university lecturer, publicist and former basketball player,[2] who has served as the 33rd and incumbent Prime Minister of Albania since 2013 and chairman of the Socialist Party of Albania since 2005. He was appointed Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports in 1998, an office he held until 2000. First elected mayor of Tirana in 2000, he was reelected in 2003 and 2007.

    The coalition of centre-left parties led by Rama in the 2013 Albanian parliamentary election defeated the incumbent centre-right coalition led by Sali Berisha of the Democratic Party of Albania. Rama was appointed prime minister for a second term following the 2017 Albanian parliamentary election. Rama then won a third term following the 2021 Albanian parliamentary election in which he defeated the Democratic Party candidate Lulzim Basha for the second time in a row. He is the only Albanian prime minister in history to have won three terms in a row. His party has won all six elections since 2013—three parliamentary ones and three local ones. He was one of the initiators of Open Balkan, an economic zone of the Western Balkans countries intended to guarantee the "Four Freedoms".

    Early life and career

    Born as Edvin Rama on 4 July 1964 in Tirana, Albania, he is the first of two children of Kristaq and Aneta Rama. His father was Kristaq Rama (1932–1998), a well-known sculptor born in Durrës who created numerous statues during the communist era in Albania. His great-grandfather, also named Kristaq Rama, was an intellectual who advocated for Albanian independence and schools, and he originated from Berat before later relocating to Durrës.[3] Other ancestors from his paternal side come from the southeastern village of Dardhë, near Korçë.[4] His mother, Aneta Rama (née Koleka) (1938–2020), was a graduate of medicine from the southwestern village of Vuno,[5] Vlorë, and a great-niece of Spiro Koleka, a member of the Politburo during Communist Albania. Rama states that the Koleka family, going back some centuries, is of northern Mirditor origin, and that the surname was derived from Kol Leka.[6][3]

    Rama started painting early in his childhood. During his teenage years, his talent was noticed by two influential Albanian painters of the time, Edi Hila and Danish Jukniu.[7] They encouraged Rama to further develop his painting skills in a professional context.[7] He attended and graduated from the Jordan Misja Artistic Lyceum, an art school in Tirana.[8] As a teenager, Rama was involved in sports as a professional basketball player for Dinamo Tirana. He was also part of the Albania national basketball team.[9][10] In 1982, he enrolled in the Academy of Arts in Tirana. After graduating, Rama started working as an instructor at the Academy of Arts. During this time, he organized several open student meetings, during which the Albanian communist government was publicly criticized. Essays from those meetings were collected in the book Refleksione, which Rama published together with publicist Ardian Klosi in 1992.

    Shortly before the fall of communism in Albania, Rama attempted several times to get involved with the incipient fight for democracy. He tried to influence student protests and become part of the newly created Democratic Party of Albania but soon left after a quarrel over ideological matters with Sali Berisha.[11] In 1994, Rama moved to France, and tried to begin a career as a painter. He and his former student, Anri Sala, exhibited their works in several art galleries. On 27 November 2002, Rama officially changed his first name to Edi.[12]

    Political career

    During one of his trips back to Albania in January 1997, Rama suffered a physical assault. While perpetrators were never found, there were concerns over the involvement of the State Secret Service given Rama's outspoken criticism towards the Albanian government.[13]

    In 1998, while in Albania for the funeral of his father, Rama was offered a cabinet position by then-Prime Minister of Albania Fatos Nano.[14] Later that year he was appointed Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports. As a Minister, Rama immediately became known for his extravagance in a variety of ways, including his unique colorful dressing style. His innovative cultural projects, coupled with his unusual clothing and rebellious political style, helped him attract a great level of support.

    Mayor of Tirana (2000–11)

    Colorful buildings in Tirana

    In October 2000, the Socialist Party of Albania endorsed Rama in the election for Mayor of Tirana. The Democratic Party nominee was Besnik Mustafaj, an Albanian writer and diplomat. Rama won 57% of the vote, and was sworn in as mayor. After taking office, he undertook a radical campaign of bulldozing hundreds of illegal constructions and restoring many areas near Tirana's center and Lanë River into their initial form.[15]

    Rama earned international recognition by repainting the facades of many soviet-style, demolishing buildings in the city.[16] The repainting gave the city a unique style, turning it into a tourist attraction. Rama was awarded the inaugural World Mayor Prize in 2004.[17] The award committee, explained their decision stating that "Edi Rama is the man who changed a whole city. Now there is a new Tirana, colored, happy, with a new and improved infrastructure and cultural life".[17]

    As mayor he compiled the Tirana City Master Plan[18] including the Skanderbeg Square project. He planted thousands of new trees, making Tirana a much more environment-friendly city. Rama also expanded the existing roads and paved new ones, improving mobility. According to a UNDP report[19] Rama played a critical role in the modernization of the local government, empowering municipalities and giving them, for the first time real power to impact the life of their communities.

    Rama was reelected Mayor of Tirana by defeating Democratic Party candidates Spartak Ngjela, a former attorney, in 2003, and Sokol Olldashi in 2007. In 2011, Rama decided to run for a fourth term in office. His opponent, Lulzim Basha was a member of Prime Minister Berisha's cabinet. Rama's reelection bid failed in a hotly contested election, after a court ruling decided hundreds of ballots mistakenly cast in the wrong ballot boxes were valid. The initial count saw Rama ahead by 10 votes. With all ballots counted Lulzim Basha won the race by 81 votes. Rama appealed the court's decision at the Electoral College and demanded the reinstatement of the initial tally. Rama's appeals were rejected, and Basha was sworn in as the new Mayor of Tirana. Rama and the Socialist Party criticized the judges involved in the court ruling.

    Leader of the opposition (2005–13)

    Having previously run as an independent in 2000, Rama registered as a Socialist in 2003. Later that year he announced a bid for the chairmanship of the Party. He and Rexhep Meidani, former President, ran against the incumbent, Fatos Nano. Rama's bid failed to gain sufficient support from the Assembly delegates. He received 41 votes, Rexhep Meidani received 61, while Fatos Nano was reelected with 456 votes.[20]

    After the center-left coalition lost in the 2005 parliamentary election, Fatos Nano resigned as Chairman of the Socialist Party. In the subsequent election for the chairmanship of the Party, Rama defeated Rexhep Meidani 297 to 151 and became the Chairman of the Socialist Party.[20] Capitalising on Rama's popularity as a mayor, the Socialist Party of Albania regained some of its appeal. Rama replaced many of the Party's influential leaders with younger loyalists. In his earlier attempts to regain control in the Parliament, he tried to frame himself as a political outsider. Inspired by the progressive policies of Tony Blair's "New Labour" and Anthony Giddens "Third Way", his political platform called for a "third direction beyond the traditional right and left".[21]

    As the minority leader, Rama threw his support behind a set of constitutional amendments introduced in the Parliament during the summer of 2008. These amendments changed Albania's election law from a majoritarian representation with a proportional adjustment into a party-list proportional representation as well as curtailed Presidential powers. Despite criticism and protests from President Bamir Topi and MPs from the Socialist Movement for Integration and other smaller political parties, the amendments were passed in the Parliament with a super-majority.

    Rama's reelection as Mayor in 2007 was greatly helped by the Socialist Movement for Integration's endorsement of his candidacy. Seeing the 2008 constitutional amendments voted by Rama's SPA as a serious threat to their existence in Albanian politics, Ilir Meta and the SMI did not join Rama in a pre-electoral coalition for the 2009 parliamentary election. The Socialist Party led by Rama were only able to win 66 seats in the Parliament. Incumbent Prime Minister Berisha's Democratic Party won 70 seats, while the remaining 4 seats went to Ilir Meta's Socialist Movement for Integration. Demands by Rama and the Socialists for a recount in the district of Fier were rejected by courts amidst criticism about the judges impartiality. Eventually, all four newly elected SMI members of the parliament voted support for Prime Minister Berisha's Democrats.

    The 2009 elections narrow defeat prompted Rama to continue his mandate as Chairman of the Socialist Party. The Socialist Party opted for a hardcore dispute of the newly elected government by boycotting parliamentary debates for months and staging a hunger strike to prompt for domestic and foreign attention to the situation. The heated political debate surrounding the 2009 election has been pointed out as one reason for Albania's failed bid at gaining official candidate status in accession talks with the EU.[22]

    In January 2011, a recorded videotape showed Deputy Prime Minister Ilir Meta negotiating informal pay-to-play fees with Dritan Prifti, Minister for the Economy, Commerce and Energy. On 21 January 2011, clashes broke out between police and protesters in an anti-government rally in front of the Government building in Tirana. Four people were shot dead from government special forces.[23] The EU issued a statement to Albanian politicians, warning both sides to refrain from violence.[24]

    Prime Minister of Albania (2013–present)

    In 2013, the Socialist Party of Rama led the coalition of center-left parties (that included his former opponents, the SMI) into a landslide victory in the parliamentary election defeating the center-right coalition led by Prime Minister Sali Berisha. His platform, nicknamed "Renaissance"[25] was based on four pillars: European integration, economic revitalisation, restoration of the public order and democratisation of the state institutions. Since September 2013, Rama has been serving as the Prime Minister of Albania.

    Policies as Prime Minister

    Austrian Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz and Rama in Tirana, Albania, 17 June 2014

    Since 11 September 2013, Rama is serving as the 33rd Prime Minister of Albania. During the electoral campaign, Rama stated that the return of public order was his number one priority. In 2013, the Albanian Police was able to cover actively only 55% of the territory.[26] The Government invested heavily in modernizing, training, and improving financial benefits of the police force. The police earned international acclaim when in 2014 undertook a highly successful operation on Lazarat, a remote village in the south of the country, known for the production of narcotics.[27]

    Rama has been committed to restructure the judicial system in Albania, which was one of the most corrupted and ineffective judicial systems in Europe at that time.[28] In 2016, the Parliament approved the "vetting law".[29] Based on this law, any judge or prosecutor which cannot explain his source of wealth or former dubious verdicts will be disqualified for life. In November 2016, the European Union stated that a successful implementation of vetting law remains the sole criterion to fulfill before opening accession talks.[30]

    U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Edi Rama during the 2014 NATO Summit in Newport, UK

    Other key reform was in the energy sector, left on the brink of bankruptcy from a previous failed privatisation effort. His government successfully enforced the payment of billions of unpaid bills and heavily invested in the modernization of the obsolete power distribution network.[31] Economic policies have also been successful.[32] The economic growth, from 0.5% in 2013, accelerated to 3.5% in 2016 and is expected to exceed 4% during 2017. Unemployment has been reduced steadily, thanks to 183,000 new jobs[33] created in his first mandate. Furthermore, with 11.5% (2019) Albania has the 5th lowest unemployment rate in the Balkans.

    Other important reforms include the administrative reform, the social welfare and pension system reform, and the reform in higher education. Internationally, Rama is pursuing a historical reconciliation policy between Albanians and Serbs and his visit in Belgrade, in 2014 was the first visit of an Albanian Prime Minister in Serbia in over 70 years.[34] In a second visit, during the Economic Forum of Nis, Rama compared the Albanian and Serbian reconciliation process with the historical reconciliation between the French and Germans after the Second World War.[35] Rama is also a key supporter of the Berlin Process, an intergovernmental platform of cooperation between the European Union and Western Balkans countries.

    The Socialist Party led by Rama participated at the 2017 parliamentary elections on 25 June 2017. One day after, partial results suggested that the Socialist Party had won a majority.[36] Which so happened.

    Rama and Ramush Haradinaj had a clash in late 2019 due to different views on the Mini-Schengen initiative. Rama stated that Haradinaj "lies due to ignorance or on purpose".[37] In 2020 Rama filed a lawsuit for defamation against Haradinaj.[38][39]

    President Aleksandar Vučić, Prime Ministers Zoran Zaev and Edi Rama stands at the opening of the Open Balkan in Skopje, North Macedonia, 29 July 2021

    Domestic policy

    Rama in 2020

    Rama has adopted a neo-liberal economic policy. It reduces public spending and promotes public-private partnerships in most sectors (tourism, higher education, health, public works, culture).[40] The International Monetary Fund (IMF), traditionally favorable to these policies, however, considered that the Albanian government was proceeding too quickly with privatisation and exposed the country to "significant fiscal risks".[40]

    Economic growth rates approached 4 percent in 2017 and 2018, the unemployment rate fell from 17.5 percent in 2014 to 11.5 percent in 2020.[40] According to him, the improvement in the economic situation can be explained by the political stability of the country: "We are a country without a Senate, without unions, without a radical left and without comedians who play politics"[40] Nevertheless, salaries remain low and emigration has accelerated since 2014[40]

    Drug trafficking has grown considerably, accounting for nearly a third of GDP in 2017.[40] According to estimates by Italian customs, 753,000 cannabis plants were destroyed in 2016, compared to 46,000 in 2014. Such destruction would have affected only 10 percent of the cultivated area. The Minister of the Interior, Saimir Tahiri (in office from 2013 to 2017), has himself been blamed for his involvement in this traffic.[40]

    In 2018, Rama adopted a law, welcomed by the European Union, providing for competition between universities and their openness to the market. Increases in tuition fees have caused discontent among students.[40]

    Albanian earthquake

    Rama surveying earthquake damage with an Israel Defense Forces Aid Mission in 2019

    On 26 November 2019, an earthquake struck Albania and parliament granted Rama state of emergency powers to deal with the aftermath.[41] Rama visited the earthquake epicentre to see the situation and damage,[42] whereas political rivalries between him, Meta, and Basha were sidelined as they became involved in relief efforts.[43][44] On 30 November Rama ended the search and rescue operation[45] and the next day he attended the first funeral for the deceased.[45][46][47]

    Rama reconfigured the state budget for 2020 to manage the post-earthquake situation[44] to provide funds for the construction of homes.[48] Rama called for additional expert assistance and monetary aid geared toward recovery from the international community stating that Albania lacks the capacity "to do this (reconstruction) alone."[49][44][50]

    In mid-December, Rama was criticised by NGOs, human rights organisations, and parts of the media of misusing the situation to pass controversial legislation after he sought a three-month extension for his state of emergency powers from parliament.[41] Rama tasked a group of fundraisers to manage the donations from the Albanian diaspora and to provide oversight for their usage.[48] Rama contacted and held discussions with some influential world leaders and countries asking for assistance and the creation of an international donors conference.[51][44][52][53][54][55] On 8 December, Rama was present at a Turkish donors conference for Albania that was organised and attended by President Erdogan.[56] In January 2020, Rama publicised preliminary figures on damage caused by the earthquake that totaled more than €1 billion.[57]

    Cabinet

    1st Cabinet

    The 1st Cabinet of Rama was sworn in by President Bujar Nishani on 11 September 2013, becoming the 8th Cabinet of the Albanian Republic, since the collapse of communism in Albania. The Cabinet is composed of 21 members, with fifteen coming from the Socialist Party, six from the Socialist Movement for Integration. The Cabinet is also the first in which the number of female ministers is equal to the number of male ministers, excluding the Prime Minister.[58]

    Rama at a political campaign rally in Vlore, 2013
    Cabinet Name Party Term
    Prime Minister Edi Rama Socialist Party (2013–)
    Deputy Prime Minister Niko Peleshi Socialist Party (2013–2017)
    Minister of Defence Mimi Kodheli Socialist Party (2013–2017)
    Minister of the Interior Saimir Tahiri Socialist Party (2013–2017)
    Minister of Foreign Affairs Ditmir Bushati Socialist Party (2013–2019)
    Minister of Justice Nasip Naço Socialist Party (2013–2017)
    Minister of European Integration Klajda Gjosha Socialist Movement for Integration (2013–2017)
    Minister of Economic Development Milva Ekonomi Socialist Party (2013–2017)
    Minister of Energy and Industry Damian Gjiknuri Socialist Party (2013–2017)
    Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Sokol Dervishaj Socialist Movement for Integration (2013–2017)
    Minister of Urban Development Eglantina Gjermeni Socialist Party (2013–2017)
    Minister of Agriculture Edmond Panariti Socialist Movement for Integration (2013–2017)
    Minister of Health Arben Beqiri Socialist Party (2013–2017)
    Minister of Education Lindita Nikolla Socialist Party (2013–2017)
    Minister of Social Welfare and Youth Blendi Klosi Socialist Party (2015–2017)
    Minister of Culture Mirela Kumbaro Socialist Party (2013–2019)
    Minister of Environment Lefter Koka Socialist Movement for Integration (2013–2017)
    Minister of Innovation and Public Administration Milena Harito Socialist Party (2013–2017)
    Minister of Relations with Parliament Ermonela Felaj Socialist Party (2013–2017)
    Minister of Local Governance Eduard Shalsi Socialist Party (2013–2017)

    2nd Cabinet

    The 2nd Cabinet of Rama was sworn in by President Ilir Meta in September 2017, becoming the 9th Cabinet of the Albanian Republic, since the collapse of communism in Albania. The Cabinet is composed of 15 members, coming all from the Socialist Party. The Cabinet is also the second in which the number of female ministers is equal to the number of male ministers, excluding the Prime Minister.

    Cabinet Name Party Term
    Prime Minister Edi Rama Socialist Party (2013–)
    Deputy Prime Minister Senida Mesi Socialist Party (2017–2019)
    Minister of Defence Olta Xhaçka Socialist Party (2017–2020)
    Minister of the Interior Fatmir Xhafaj
    Dritan Demiraj
    Fatmir Xhafaj (acting)
    Sandër Lleshaj    		 Socialist Party (2017)
    (2017)
    (2017–2018)
    (2018–2020)
    Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ditmir Bushati
    Edi Rama    		 Socialist Party (2013–2019)
    (2019–)
    Minister of Justice Etilda Gjonaj Socialist Party (2017–2021)
    Minister of Culture Mirela Kumbaro Socialist Party (2013–)
    Minister of Finance and Economy Arben Ahmetaj Socialist Party (2017–2019)
    Minister of Education, Sports and Youth Lindita Nikolla
    Besa Shahini    		 Socialist Party (2017–2019)
    (2019–)
    Minister of Health and Social Care Ogerta Manastirliu Socialist Party (2017–)
    Minister of Infrastructure and Energy Damian Gjiknuri
    Belinda Balluku    		 Socialist Party (2017–2019)
    (2019–)
    Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Niko Peleshi
    Bledar Çuçi    		 Socialist Party (2017–2019)
    (2019–)
    Minister of Tourism and Environment Blendi Klosi Socialist Party (2017–2021)
    Minister of State for Albanian Diaspora Pandeli Majko Socialist Party (2017–2021)
    Minister of State for Entrepreneurs Sonila Qato Socialist Party (2017–)

    Foreign policy

    On several occasions, Rama has stated that the European Union needs to accelerate the integration process of the Western Balkans, considering it the only way to subdue the dangerous fractions in the region, preventing a possible eruption of violence, like the one that hammered the region in the 1990s.[59] Rama has also denounced the rising Russian influence in the region as destabilising.[60]

    Jozsef Toth, Edi Rama, Aleksandar Vucic, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Ilham Aliyev, Boyko Borisov, and Berat Albayrak at the 2017 World Petroleum Congress

    Rama views Turkey as an important strategic partner and since 2013, he has developed a good personal relationship with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.[61][62] In May 2016, Rama attended the wedding of Erdogan's daughter and Erdogan's presidential inauguration in 2018, whereas Erdogan endorsed him in mid-2017 for Albania's parliamentary elections.[61][62] Rama has strengthened ties with Turkey, namely with the Erdogan government despite possible and growing contradictions with his pro-European enlargement stance.[62][63]

    Rama and Israeli President Reuven Rivlin in December 2015

    Rama has had a diverse agenda of high-level meetings. Since 2013, he has frequently met with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, American President Barack Obama, French President Francois Hollande, British Prime Minister David Cameron, Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang, Austrian Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz, Pope Francis, and other high-ranking diplomats. Rama, speaking in Israel in 2015, said that Albania was "proud to have been a country where no Jew was released to the Nazis, and where there are incredible stories of Muslim families who protected Jewish families," and he and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu signed a joint declaration of friendship and a medical research cooperation agreement.[64]

    Rama and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in February 2022
    Rama and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in March 2023

    On 10 October 2019, together with Aleksandar Vučić, President of Serbia, and Zoran Zaev, Prime Minister of North Macedonia, Rama signed the so-called Mini Schengen deal on regional economic cooperation, including on the free movement of goods, capital, services, and labour between their three countries, while they await progress on EU enlargement.[65] A month later, the leaders presented a set of proposals to achieve the "four freedoms" and the first steps towards them, including the possibility to the open border area.[66] In December, the three leaders also met with Milo Đukanović, President of Montenegro, opening the possibility for the country to join the zone.[67]

    He describes Turkish leader Erdoğan as a "friend of Albania and strategic ally". At his request, he had schools linked to the Gülen movement closed, which he went so far as to describe as a 'terrorist organization'.[68]

    Artist and writer

    COD, Center for Openness and Dialogue opened at the Prime Ministerial Office in Tirana

    Exhibitions

    • City Art Gallery, Corfu, Greece (1990)

    • National Art Gallery in Tirana, Albania (1992)

    • Jano Gallery in New York City (1993)
    • Place de Médiathèque in France (1995)
    • Acud in Berlin (1993)
    • São Paulo in Brazil (1994)
    • Israel (1995)
    • Gallery XXI in Albania (1999
    • Venice Biennial (2014)
    • Marian Goodman Gallery in New York City (2016)

    Rama is an active painter and has had several personal painting exhibitions.[69]

    In 2014 and 2017 Rama held an exhibit in the Venice Biennial. In 2016, a collection of his works were exhibited in the Marian Goodman Gallery in New York City.[70][71]

    Publications

    • Rama, Edi; Klosi, Ardian (1991). Refleksione.
    • Rama, Edi (1993). Etërit, Seksi dhe Krenaria Kombtare.
    • Rama, Edi (2009). Edi Rama. Paintings
    • Rama, Edi (2011). Kurban. Tirana: Dudaj.

    Rama is also an active writer. In 1992, while a professor at the Academy of Arts of Albania, Rama published a book with various notes together with publicist Ardian Klosi entitled Refleksione(Reflections). In 2009, Rama published a collection of personal notes and paintings in a book entitled Edi Rama. In November 2011, Rama published a reflection book on his years as mayor of Tirana entitled Kurban.

    Personal life

    Edi Rama was baptized as Catholic and identifies as Catholic.[72] Regarding his religious beliefs at present, Rama has declared himself an agnostic stating that "I do not practice any faith other than to the self and other people, but I don't believe that the existence or non-existence of God is a matter that can ever be resolved by mortals."[73]

    Rama married actress Matilda Makoçi. The couple divorced in 1991. Rama has a son from his first marriage, Gregor, who is a cancer survivor.[74] Rama's daughter-in-law was one of the 51 fatalities in the 2019 Albania earthquake.[75]

    Since 2010, Rama has been married to Linda Rama (née Basha), an economist and civil society activist.[76] Mrs. Rama is a graduate of the University of Tirana and holds a Master of Arts in Economy and is a Doctor of Sciences in Economy. Until 1998 she has worked in high levels of public administration including the Head of the National Privatization Agency. She has a long academic experience as a lecturer in International Finance at the University of Tirana and a lecturer of Public Policies in the European University of Tirana. She is the author of several scientific researches and publications in her field. Together they have a son, Zaho,[77] born in 2014.

    Rama is a supporter of the sports teams FK Partizani and Juventus.[78] His younger brother, Olsi Rama, is the sporting director of Partizani Tirana.[79]

    Controversies

    Involvement in electoral fraud

    In a series of 16 audio tapes published online by the German tabloid Bild, Rama and his cabinet members were recorded in conversations with police and members of organized crime ahead of the 2017 Parliamentary elections. In one of the tapes Rama is recorded in a conversation with Arben Keshi, a local police official, asking if "the objective had been met". In another recording, cabinet member Damian Gjiknuri was heard offering Keshi to send "a van of problematic guys" who "should not be too exposed" but may be needed "just in case" for the election. In other tapes, former Socialist MPs were recorded giving instructions to Keshi and other local officials on bribing constituents with cash and intimidating them with threats.[80] In other tapes published by Bild, former Mayor of Durrës Vangjush Dako, appointed by SP was heard in conversations with members of drug trafficking and organized crime in connection to the 2017 elections.[81]

    Controversial media law

    In December 2019, the government led by Rama, proposed changes in two laws regarding communications and information services in Albania, with focus on regulating the online media market, forcing them to register and giving authority to institutions controlled by the Parliament to fine online medias and journalists and block their contents.

    Also known as the 'anti-defamation' law, it gives to the authority of Audiovisual Media in Albania (AMA) the competences of fining journalists and they can have their cases heard in court only after paying the AMA-imposed fine. Critics say this clause aims to decimate the finances of independent news outlets, whose limited funding would be likely to expire long before a court even hears the case.[82]

    Media organizations in Albania protested the changes in the law, considering them as censoring free-speech and expressing their concerns, because the drafted law didn't take in consideration several recommendations made by international actors like the EU Commissioner for Human Rights.[83] The Albanian Ombudsman called the government on not approving the two anti-defamation draft laws, as they do not meet international standards.[84]

    Venice Commission gave its opinion and to its conclusion the proposed media law has a number of flaws to proposed amendments that needs to be changed, in the report the Venice Commission gave a number of recommendations and stated that "Albanian authorities showed willingness to dialogue and addressed their concerns for the protection of freedom of speech".[2] Rama on Twitter praised the recommendations and stated “Grateful to the Venice Commission for their opinion on Anti-defamation! Without losing any further time, we need to address the matter in the Assembly according to the valuable suggestions and guarantee by law everyone’s right to be defended against defamation, and the obligation of every news outlet to be identified as a subject to the law”.[4]

    Reporters Without Borders

    After Albania fell to a historic low in the Reporters Without Borders' annual World Press Freedom Index, Rama criticized the organization's notation. However Pavol Szalai, the head of the European Union and Balkan Desk, noted that the methodology changed from 2020 to 2022 and that Albania has fallen partly due to this and partly due to countries like Serbia and Montenegro rising.

    Rama took up to Twitter where he accused the organization of making up "lies" and called the accusations "fantasies". Rama then tweeted: “Journalists victims of police violence in Albania? What a lie! Journalists critical of the government face political attacks? What a fantasy! Ethical self-regulation in the Albanian media? What a mockery! Only the title is missing: We complain about the lack of freedom because we do not know what to do with freedom!” One day after Rama tweeted his denials, RSF reported that he attacked an Albanian reporter who he had previously put on a two-month long embargo.[85][86]

    Charles McGonigal

    In January 2023, Rama was implicated in a U.S. federal indictment concerning former senior FBI official Charles McGonigal. According to the indictment, in September 2017, McGonigal allegedly met with and tried to sway Rama into awarding an oil-drilling license to an Albanian-based company affiliated with McGonigal's business partners. In November 2017, shortly after a meeting with Rama in Albania, McGonigal allegedly informed a United States Department of Justice prosecutor of a potentially new criminal investigation into Nicolas Muzin, a U.S.-based lobbyist who had recently been hired by Rama's political rival, Lulzim Basha. The following month, McGonigal dined with Rama in Washington, D.C., and up until early 2018, received information about Muzin from the Albanian Prime Minister's office.[87][88]

    Rama has denied any wrongdoing.[89]

    Other controversies

    A photograph of Rama and Barack Obama at a fundraising event in October 2012 was shared by Rama on Facebook and Twitter ahead of Albania's 2013 Parliamentary Election, to imply a relationship with Obama.[90] Rama's ticket to the event was purchased for $80,000 through intermediaries that were pled guilty to making foreign contributions in connection with the 2012 U.S. Presidential Election.[91][92]

    At the beginning of December 2021, onboard a Lufthansa plane headed to Detroit from Frankfurt, Rama refused to wear a mask as required by the company's Covid-safety guidelines. After Rama vehemently refused, the airplane crew asked the captain to persuade the prime minister to comply with the rules like all the other passengers. However, Rama refused any proposal and was then escorted off board by the federal police.[93]

    Honours

    Orders, decorations, and medals

    Award or decoration Country Date Place
    Legion of Honour[94]  France 29 March 2017 Paris
    Presidential Medal of Merits  Kosovo 16 February 2018 Pristina
    Order of Saint-Charles[95]  Monaco 10 April 2019 Monaco
    Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise(First class)
    Ukraine    		 30 December 2023 Kyiv

    See also

    References

    1. ↑ "Dekret Nr. 8304, datë 11.9.2013" (PDF) (in Albanian). Ministry of Infrastructure. Archived (PDF) from the original on 22 October 2023. Retrieved 22 October 2023.
    2. 1 2 "Edi Rama PRIME MINISTER". kryeministria.al.
    3. 1 2 "Edi Rama tregon për origjinën e tij familjare". Telegrafi. 5 June 2017. Retrieved 3 February 2020.
    4. 1 2 Mitre, Ola (3 September 2014). "Rich Albanians Breathe New Life into Forgotten Village". Balkan Insight. Retrieved 20 January 2023.
    5. ↑ 30, 10 April:13 (30 April 2013). "Edi Rama do jetë deputet i Vlorës | Gazeta Dita". Gazetadita.al. Archived from the original on 25 November 2017. Retrieved 30 April 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
    6. ↑ "Rama: 23 qershori s'është ndeshje futbolli, me votën luani me jetën tuaj". Lajmi. Archived from the original on 23 June 2021. Retrieved 3 February 2020. Po të jetë puna kështu, stërgjyshërit e mamasë time kanë zbritur nga Mirdita. E keni dëgjuar Koleka, Koleka, ka qenë Kol Leka.
    7. 1 2 "Edi Rama rrëfen vitet në Paris dhe debatet me babanë: Merita e tij që u bëra njeri i lirë". Panorama.com.al. 9 July 2016. Retrieved 30 April 2017.
    8. ↑ NOA Lajme (26 October 2016). "Follow Inaugurohet Liceu Artistik, Rama: "I dënuar" të jetë ekselent" (in Albanian).
    9. ↑ Rowland, Jacky (17 June 2004). "Europe | The mayor who brought colour to Albania". BBC News. Retrieved 30 April 2017.
    10. ↑ "Edi Rama – The Creative Time Summit". Creativetime.org. 23 June 2013. Retrieved 30 April 2017.
    11. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 27 April 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
    12. ↑ "Formulari i vetëdeklarimit i Edi Ramës" [Edi Rama's self-declaration form] (PDF). cec.org.al. 21 April 2016. p. 1.
    13. ↑ "Fatos Klosi: E vërteta e rrahjes së Ramës nga shikasit me xhupa të zinj të Gazidedes, pse nuk e ndëshkuam Berishën dhe kush i urdhëronte rrahjet". 20 February 2015. Retrieved 25 June 2017.
    14. ↑ "'Rrëfehet' Edi Rama: Telefonata që më bëri Ministër të Kulturës". Shqiptarja.com. 22 April 2017. Archived from the original on 20 May 2017. Retrieved 30 April 2017.
    15. ↑ "BBC NEWS – Europe – The mayor transforming Tirana". news.bbc.co.uk. 27 June 2002. Retrieved 25 June 2017.
    16. ↑ "Tirana's artist mayor turns crumbling capital into painters' canvas". 28 April 2010. Retrieved 25 June 2017.
    17. 1 2 "World Mayor: The winners of the 2004 contest". worldmayor.com. Retrieved 25 June 2017.
    18. ↑ "WAN:: Tirana Rocks masterplan by MVRDV Architects in Tirana, Albania". worldarchitecturenews.com. Retrieved 25 June 2017.
    19. ↑ Human development report 2002 : deepening democracy in a fragmented world. United Nations Development Programme. New York, N.Y.: Oxford University Press. 2002. ISBN 0-19-521915-5. OCLC 50508665.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
    20. 1 2 "Si u ngjit Edi Rama në krye të Partisë Socialiste | ILLYRIA". illyriapress.com. Archived from the original on 24 November 2020. Retrieved 1 April 2018.
    21. ↑ "Rruga e Parë, e Dytë, pastaj Rruga e Tretë – Peshku pa ujë". arkivi2.peshkupauje.com. Archived from the original on 1 April 2018. Retrieved 25 June 2017.
    22. ↑ Jovanovska, Svetlana. (8 May 2012) / Albania is refused EU candidate status. Euobserver. Retrieved on 13 May 2012.
    23. ↑ Breaking News: Protesters killed in Tirana rally. SETimes (21 January 2011). Retrieved on 13 May 2012.
    24. ↑ Pop, Valentina. (8 May 2012) Albania killings cast shadow over country's EU aspirations. Euobserver. Retrieved on 13 May 2012.
    25. ↑ http://ps.al/new/programi/rimekembje-e-%5B%5D ekonomise/
    26. ↑ "Rriten pagat për 93 % të punonjësve të Policisë së Shtetit". punetebrendshme.gov.al. Retrieved 25 June 2017.
    27. ↑ https://www.ata.gov.al/en/interpol-praises-state-police-operation-in-lazarat/
    28. ↑ ""The whole judicial system in Albania is corrupt". Chief of EURALIUS reveals the truth for VOA / VIDEO interview in English (full length)". infocip.org. Retrieved 25 June 2017.
    29. ↑ "Euralius – Approval of the Vetting law in the Parliament of the Republic of Albania". euralius.eu. Archived from the original on 31 October 2017. Retrieved 25 June 2017.
    30. ↑ "Germany's further support for the implementation of the Justice Reform". kryeministria.al. Archived from the original on 6 January 2018. Retrieved 25 June 2017.
    31. ↑ "Albania Successfully Concludes Three-Year IMF-Supported Program". imf.org. Retrieved 25 June 2017.
    32. ↑ https://www.ata.gov.al/en/world-bank-report-albania-records-highest-growth-rate-in-region/
    33. ↑ Shqip, Gazeta. "Ahmetaj: Premtimi për 300 mijë vende punë është mbajtur – Gazeta SHQIP".
    34. ↑ "First Albanian PM Visit to Serbia in 70 Years Postponed – Novinite.com – Sofia News Agency". Retrieved 25 June 2017.
    35. ↑ "Forumi shqiptaro-gjerman, Rama: Shqipëri-Serbi, si Gjermania e Franca pas luftës – Lajme – Top Channel". top-channel.tv. Archived from the original on 5 October 2017. Retrieved 25 June 2017.
    36. ↑ Albanian Socialists to get parliamentary majority, partial vote count shows Reuters, 26 June 2017
    37. ↑ "'Mini-Schengen' risks driving a wedge between Albania and Kosovo". Emerging Europe. 23 December 2019. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
    38. ↑ "Albanian PM Sues Kosovo's Haradinaj for Defamation Over Land-Swap Claims | World News | US News". Archived from the original on 17 January 2020.
    39. ↑ Loxha, Amra Zejneli (16 January 2020). "Haradinaj i Rama na sudu". Radio Slobodna Evropa (in Serbo-Croatian). Retrieved 23 January 2021.
    40. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Geslin, Dérens & (1 September 2020). "Albania, newly built on shaky ground".
    41. 1 2 Erebara, Gjergj (16 December 2019). "Albania PM Requests Extension of Post-Quake Emergency Powers". Balkan Insight. Retrieved 22 December 2019.
    42. ↑ Mero, Armand; Agolli, Ilirian (27 November 2019). "Strongest Quake in Decades Kills at Least 25 in Albania". Voice of America (VOA). Retrieved 28 November 2019.
    43. ↑ Kostreci, Keida (30 November 2019). "Albania Search, Rescue Operation For Earthquake Survivors Ends". Voice of America (VOA). Retrieved 30 November 2019.
    44. 1 2 3 4 Kostreci, Keida (2 December 2019). "Albania Seeks International Support for Earthquake Recovery". Voice of America (VOA). Retrieved 1 December 2019.
    45. 1 2 "Albania's search for quake victims ends as death toll rises to 51". Al Jazeera. 30 November 2019. Retrieved 30 November 2019.
    46. ↑ "Albania quake toll hits 51 as search for survivors ends". Deutsche Welle. 30 November 2019. Retrieved 30 November 2019.
    47. ↑ Good, Richard (30 November 2019). "Plea to help Albanian earthquake survivors as Durres search resumes". Euronews. Retrieved 30 November 2019.
    48. 1 2 Koleka, Benet (4 December 2019). "Albania says rebuilding after quake won't hit other spending priorities". Reuters. Retrieved 4 December 2019.
    49. ↑ "Albania earthquake: Germany's Angela Merkel vows aid for victims". Deutsche Welle. 1 December 2019. Retrieved 1 December 2019.
    50. ↑ "EU Leads International Help to Albania Quake Recovery". Voice of America (VOA). Associated Press. 2 December 2019. Retrieved 2 December 2019.
    51. ↑ "Rama në Open: Europa? Është Arabia Saudite dhe Turqia ku drejtojnë miqtë e mijë" (in Albanian). Top Channel. 28 November 2019. Retrieved 29 November 2019.
    52. ↑ "Albania ends quake rescue operations". Outlook. 29 November 2019. Retrieved 2 December 2019.
    53. ↑ "EU pledges €15 million to Albania for earthquake relief". Deutsche Welle. 4 December 2019. Retrieved 4 December 2019.
    54. ↑ "Tërmeti në Shqipëri Boris Johnson Edi Rama na tregoi historitë e tmerrshme ramë dakort që të veprojmë kolektivisht për të ndihmuar" (in Albanian). Gazeta Tema. 4 December 2019. Retrieved 5 December 2019.
    55. ↑ "Pas tërmetit: Donatorët ndërkombëtarë në Tiranë në janar 2020" (in Albanian). Deutsche Welle. 14 December 2019. Retrieved 27 December 2019.
    56. ↑ "Konferenca e Donatorëve në Turqi, Rama- Erdogan takojnë biznesmenët turq" (in Albanian). Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH). 8 December 2019. Retrieved 27 December 2019.
    57. ↑ "Online Application for Reconstruction Unveiled". Albanian Daily News. 27 January 2020. Retrieved 31 January 2020.
    58. ↑ "PM Rama at "Global Leader Woman" Summit". ambasadat.gov.al.
    59. ↑ "If EU shuns Albania radical Islam beckons". Retrieved 25 June 2017.
    60. ↑ Harding, Thomas (24 February 2017). "Don't abandon us to the Russians, pleads Albanian leader, fearing US will walk away". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 12 January 2022. Retrieved 25 June 2017.
    61. 1 2 Biberaj, Elez (2018). "Former Yugoslavia and Its Successors". In Wolchik, Sharon L.; Curry, Jane Leftwich (eds.). Central and East European politics: From Communism to Democracy. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 428. ISBN 9781538100899.
    62. 1 2 3 13th Rapport Schuman sur l'Europe – l'Etat de l'Union 2019, éditions Marie B – Collection Lignes de Repères,2019, page 159
    63. ↑ Öztürk, Ahmet Erdi; Akgönül, Samim (2019). "Turkey: Forced marriage or marriage of convenience with the Western Balkans?". In Bieber, Florian; Tzifakis, Nikolaos (eds.). The Western Balkans in the World: Linkages and Relations with Non-Western Countries. Routledge. p. 236. ISBN 9781538100899.
    64. ↑ Herb Keinon (21 December 2015). "Netanyahu to Albanian PM: Our friendship goes back to Albania protecting Jews from Nazis". The Jerusalem Post.
    65. ↑ "Albania, North Macedonia, Serbia Sign 'Mini-Schengen' Declaration". Balkan Insight. 10 October 2020. Retrieved 7 September 2020.
    66. ↑ "Western Balkan leaders plot their own 'mini-Schengen' zone". Euronews. 11 November 2019. Retrieved 7 September 2020.
    67. ↑ ""Mini-Schengen" initiative remains open to the region, next meeting in Belgrade". European Western Balkans. 21 November 2019. Retrieved 7 September 2020.
    68. ↑ Geslin, Jean-Arnault Dérens & Laurent (1 September 2020). "Albania, newly built on shaky ground". Le Monde diplomatique.
    69. ↑ Jason Farago (15 November 2016). "Meet Edi Rama, Albania's artist prime minister". theguardian.com. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
    70. ↑ "Edi Rama". mariangoodman.com. Archived from the original on 2 December 2017. Retrieved 29 June 2017.
    71. ↑ "Edi Rama". dailyartfair.com.
    72. ↑ "Rama:Jam Katolik i pagëzuar" [Rama:I am baptized Catholic]. Dielli.al (in Albanian). 5 September 2014. Archived from the original (Virtual) on 24 June 2015. "Për hir të së vërtetës unë nuk jam ortodoks, unë jam katolik nëse i referohesh pagëzimit". (En: For the sake of truth I'm not Orthodox, I'm Catholic referring to baptism)
    73. ↑ "Edi Rama: "Unë nuk praktikoj besim tjetër, përveç atij tek vetja dhe tek njerëzit, por nuk besoj se sidoqoftë eksiztenca ose jo e Zotit është një çështje që mund të zgjidhet ndonjëherë nga të vdekshmit" (in Albanian). Facebook. 8 July 2014.
    74. ↑ "Rrëfimi dramatik i Gregut: Biseda me Edin kur u diagnostikova me kancer". Gazeta Shqiptare (in Albanian). 19 May 2013. Retrieved 30 December 2018.
    75. ↑ Rob Picheta (28 November 2019). "Albanian Prime Minister's future daughter-in-law among dozens dead in earthquake". CNN.
    76. ↑ "Lidhjet dashurore te Edi Rames nga Makoci tek Basha – Arkiva Shqiptare e Lajmeve". arkivalajmeve.com. Retrieved 25 June 2017.
    77. ↑ "Oranews.tv – Mirëserdhe Zaho! Lind djali i çiftit kryeministror Edi dhe Linda Rama. Fotoja e përqafimit atëror". Oranews. Archived from the original on 3 September 2017. Retrieved 25 June 2017.
    78. ↑ "Edi Rama si tifoz i flakët i Juventusit, kështu po e pret finalen (Foto)" (in Albanian). Periskopi.com. 3 June 2017. Retrieved 30 December 2018.
    79. ↑ "Olsi Rama zyrtarisht drejtor i Partizanit, gati prezantimi" [Olsi Rama officially sporting director of Partizai, the presentation is ready] (in Albanian). Shqiptarja.com. 11 December 2017. Retrieved 30 December 2018.
    80. ↑ "E plotë/ 16 përgjimet e reja të BILD: Si u blenë votat në Dibër". Balkanweb.com – News24 (in Albanian). 17 June 2019. Retrieved 9 July 2019.
    81. ↑ Lindita. ""Bild" nxjerr përgjimet e reja mes Vangjush Dakos dhe Astrit Avdylajt". Retrieved 9 July 2019.
    82. ↑ "Albania Approves Controversial Anti-Defamation Laws | Voice of America – English". www.voanews.com.
    83. ↑ "Albania Approves Controversial Media Laws Despite Bitter Protests". 18 December 2019.
    84. ↑ "Albanian Ombudsman: Media Laws Do Not Meet International Standards". 18 December 2019.
    85. ↑ "Reporters Without Borders clap back at Albanian prime minister's denials". EURACTIV. 9 May 2022.
    86. ↑ "Albanian Prime Minister Claims RSF Report Is Lies, Fantasy". 3 May 2022.
    87. ↑ "USA v. Charles F. McGonigal" (PDF). Retrieved 3 February 2023.
    88. ↑ Rothfeld, Michael; Rashbaum, William; Vogel, Kenneth (3 February 2023). "How Prosecutors Say a Top F.B.I. Agent Sold His Services Overseas". The New York Times.
    89. ↑ Erebara, Gjergi (2 February 2023). "Albania Opposition Demands Inquiry Into 'Bribed' Former FBI Official". Balkan Insight. Albania's opposition Democratic Party has filed a request for a parliament's investigative committee on Thursday, after Prime Minister Edi Rama dismissed claims that his government bribed a former FBI official to push for FBI investigations into matters that damaged the Albanian opposition. The request said it should investigate relations between Rama and Charles McGonigal, the nature of that relationship and any possible benefits granted to him or people connected to him by the Albanian government. The request calls for an investigation into whether the Tirana government 'incited, influenced, ordered or used public assets, bribes or other favours for the FBI former agent at the expense of the opposition'.
    90. ↑ "New Jersey man admits to helping disguise foreign political..." Reuters. 29 June 2016. Retrieved 29 August 2019.
    91. ↑ Gerstein, Josh (26 July 2016). "Albanian prime minister's date with Obama". POLITICO. Retrieved 29 August 2019.
    92. ↑ "New Jersey Man Pleads Guilty to Helping Disguise Foreign Contributions during 2012 Presidential Election". www.justice.gov. 29 June 2016. Retrieved 28 September 2022.
    93. ↑ "Polizei eskortiert albanischen Regierungschef nach Streit um Corona-Maske aus Lufthansa-Flieger". Der Spiegel (in German). 15 April 2022. Retrieved 15 April 2022.
    94. ↑ "Qeveria Shqiptare Keshilli i Ministrave". www.kryeministria.al. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
    95. ↑ "Albanian Government Council of Ministers". www.kryeministria.al. Retrieved 29 June 2023.

    Further reading

    Wikimedia Commons has media related to Edi Rama.
    This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.