Albanian Prime Minister reflects on key issues in marathon end-of-year press conference

Prime Minister Edi Rama hosted his annual end-of-year press conference, a record-breaking 3-hour and 15-minute session that covered a wide range of topics, from his defense of Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj to the government’s achievements and challenges in 2024. 

Why is this important: While Prime Minister Edi Rama refrained from directly criticizing SPAK—consistent with his longstanding pledge never to interfere with the justice system—his defense of Mayor Erion Veliaj conveyed clear frustration with how the case is unfolding. Rama’s remarks underscored his dissatisfaction with the perception that the investigation into Veliaj has strayed into political and media-driven territory, raising broader questions about the justice process and its implications.

Defending Mayor Veliaj amid legal and media scrutiny: For the first time, Rama publicly defended Mayor Erion Veliaj, not from the formal judicial process but from what he described as “alternative judiciary” conducted by the media and political opponents.

“Erion Veliaj has been investigated, judged, and condemned by the court of politics and certain media. This alternative judiciary is engaged in a public lynching of Veliaj, targeting his family life and dignity, often based on mere rumors,” Rama stated.

While acknowledging the seriousness of ongoing investigations, Rama maintained that Veliaj has not been formally accused and cautioned Socialist Party members to refrain from public commentary, emphasizing the party’s commitment of non-interference with the justice system.

Intriguingly, Rama hinted that he knew the identity of the anonymous whistleblower whose allegations expanded the Veliaj inquiry but refrained from naming them, calling the case “specific for many reasons.”

Views on corruption: Rama repeated his long-held belief that systemic corruption is a product of institutional frameworks rather than individual wrongdoing. Reflecting on his leadership of Albania’s justice reform, he claimed credit for establishing mechanisms designed to build a system resistant to corruption.

“We’ve worked to create a justice system that people cannot corrupt,” said Rama, highlighting the Socialist Party’s role in initiating reforms that have led to high-profile investigations targeting officials across the political spectrum.

Economic achievements and challenges: Rama highlighted several economic accomplishments in 2024, citing the government’s ability to increase pensions, civil servant salaries, and provide bonuses for retirees. He attributed these gains to improved revenue collection, particularly from businesses declaring real wages following public communication campaigns by the government.

He also announced plans for a pension reform in collaboration with international experts, aiming to make the system more sustainable. However, he acknowledged the government’s failure to complete the Murrizi Tunnel within the planned timeframe, attributing delays to challenging geological conditions. He assured the public that the cost of the project remained unchanged under the public-private partnership agreement.

Election outlook: The Prime Minister dismissed the opposition’s chances of mounting a serious electoral challenge, confidently stating that the Socialist Party remains the only true popular force in Albania.

“Here, the fight is for second place,” he remarked, arguing that no other party poses a real threat to Socialist dominance. While declining to comment on the parliamentary opposition or new political aspirants, Rama projected skepticism about their ability to gain significant ground.

Security and tragic incidents: Rama addressed two high-profile tragedies: the murder of Egli Proda in Pogradec and the death of a 14-year-old at Fan Noli School. He criticized how these incidents were used by political and media figures for “spectacle,” emphasizing the government’s commitment to addressing security concerns without sensationalism.

Integration and diplomatic successes: On Albania’s path toward EU integration, Rama underscored two intergovernmental conferences held in 2024 as milestones. He highlighted the opening of new negotiating chapters, framing them as significant steps toward full membership.

A critical look back: Concluding the press conference, Rama reflected on the year’s achievements and shortcomings. While admitting that mistakes were inevitable in governance, he emphasized that the Socialist Party’s work speaks for itself.

“Mistakes can happen, but when compared to the volume of work we’ve accomplished, the facts and the reality speak for themselves,” he declared.