Following Donald Trump’s return to the White House, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama extended his congratulations, calling it a “remarkable victory” and expressing eagerness to work with the 47th president. Rama’s message on X conveyed both appreciation for past cooperation with President Biden and optimism for future collaboration with Trump, signaling Albania’s commitment to strengthening ties with the U.S. regardless of leadership changes. Opposition leader Sali Berisha, on the other hand, issued an ecstatic message of congratulations. 

Why is this important: Trump’s win has stirred an unusual situation in Albanian politics. The opposition Democrats are quick to portray Trump’s victory as a win for themselves, emphasizing their alignment with the American right and contrasting it with Rama’s socialist background. There is nothing new in this claim. During George W. Bush’s 2000 campaign, Albanian Democrats rallied with slogans like, “Bush won, [former Prime Minister] Nano is finished,” underscoring the symbolic influence of U.S. elections on Albanian politics. The hope among the Democrats is that the change of administration will help them get out of the political wilderness they have found themselves in for the past several years.

Context: Albania’s Democratic Party is trying to frame Trump’s return as symbolic of their own comeback hopes. Democratic leader Sali Berisha has voiced enthusiastic support for Trump, stating: “The great American nation, in its most historic election, has magnificently returned Donald Trump to the White House as the 47th President of the United States. With their plebiscitary vote, American citizens rose above hypocrisy, deceit, and attempts to dictate their leadership and chose Donald Trump for the bright future they deserve.”

Berisha also emphasized shared values, framing the vote as a stand for human dignity and global freedom. “They voted for the core values of humanity, for prosperity, and world peace. With President Trump, the U.S., its allies, and partners are more secure than ever. The American people also voted to save their country from the most dangerous mafia of our time: the George Soros mafia,” Berisha declared. On behalf of the Democratic Party of Albania, a long-standing sister party to the U.S. Republican Party, Berisha expressed hope for further strengthening the relationship between the two nations and their respective parties.

Reality check: However, the reality is quite different, and the Democrats’ optimism may be more of an attempt to motivate their supporters than a reflection of any meaningful change. Despite Rama’s support for Hillary Clinton in 2016, his working relationship with Trump developed positively. Over time, this partnership grew stronger, benefiting from strategic cooperation. Recently, Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, has even worked on several large-scale luxury investments in Albania, reportedly maintaining a very good relationship with Rama.

The bigger picture: Trump’s re-election offers an opportunity for Albanian politicians to reassess the nature of Albania-U.S. relations. While political figures may use this moment for symbolic gain, the alliance between the two countries is longstanding, built over 30 years of bipartisan support in both capitals. Strategic interests—ranging from regional security to economic development—have consistently deepened regardless of the administration in Washington or Tirana.

During Trump’s first term, Albania-U.S. relations were marked by strengthened cooperation. This includes U.S. support for Albania’s efforts at NATO, regional stability, and economic investments, which have only expanded over the years. Rama’s recent remarks reflect this perspective, as he emphasized that bilateral relations prioritize Albania’s long-term progress, peace, and prosperity.

Looking forward: While any meaningful change may be an illusion, as Albania prepares for its own upcoming elections, Trump’s victory seems to have given the Democrats something to cheer in a period that has been all doom and gloom. Berisha’s congratulatory message reinforces the Democrats’ hope for a revival, linking their fortunes to the global right and using Trump’s victory as a symbol of potential change in Albania. Yet, the enduring strategic partnership between Albania and the U.S. is likely to remain strong, shaped by decades of shared interests rather than individual political figures.