Edi Rama: EU negotiations must conclude by 2027 to safeguard justice reform from political reversal

The Prime Minister warns that both opposition and future Socialist leaders could undo key reforms without EU anchor

Why is this important: Prime Minister Edi Rama is pushing for Albania’s EU accession negotiations to be completed by 2027 and full membership by 2030, warning that failure to stay on track could jeopardize the country’s landmark justice reform. Without the oversight of EU institutions, Rama said, both the opposition or even future leaders within the Socialist Party could be tempted to undermine the rule of law.

Context: Speaking during a campaign event in Durrës, Rama accused the opposition of planning to dismantle the justice system if elected.

“The other side says that once they get the vote, they’ll swing the sword back at justice and the first head they’ll cut off is Altin Dumani’s,” he said, referring to the head of Albania’s anti-corruption office. “In that case, Albanians can never be sure that equality before the law is beyond political debate.”

He added that even within his own party, the long-term survival of the reform could be at risk without EU accession:

“If Albania is not in the EU, even the Socialist Party could change course. One day someone else might say, ‘Why should we put up with prosecutors and judges every day? Bring the sword back and let’s put an end to this.’”

Rama insisted that as long as he remains in charge, the justice system will be allowed to do its job—even when it targets his allies:

“Beyond the personal pain of seeing someone who used to be among us now in the hands of justice, this would never have happened if we hadn’t opened this box ourselves.”

What else: Rama urged his party’s Durrës candidates to explain to voters that the May 11 election is a referendum on Albania’s European future, which he argued will bring financial support and long-term stability.

Later that day, during a visit to a Dutch-owned company in Durrës, Rama said the government would pressure employers to respect workers’ rights to weekly and holiday leave.

“We will enforce this right even in companies that currently ignore it,” he said.