Edi Rama reengages with Albanian diaspora in NY, showcases judicial reform 

Socialist Party leader Edi Rama has restarted meetings with the Albanian Diaspora. On his “Proud for Albania” tour, he stopped this weekend in New York where he chose a discussion format that focused primarily on the results of the justice reform.

Why is this important: The perception of Albania, both internationally and among the Albanian diaspora, has historically been marred by an image of unchecked corruption. This year, significant strides have been made through the judicial reform initiative, a key component of the Socialist Party’s platform, which has now begun to investigate, arrest, and imprison high-profile political figures in a way never seen before. This includes former President Ilir Meta, former Prime Minister Sali Berisha, and other high-ranking officials.

Context: During his tour, “Proud of Albania,” Prime Minister Edi Rama stopped in New York and chose a format focused primarily on discussing the outcomes of the judicial reform. He expressed pride to the Albanian diaspora that the reform ending impunity was conceptualized and implemented by his administration. Drafted in 2016 amidst significant resistance from both the opposition and his party members, the reform was eventually passed due to substantial pressure and support from the EU and the USA, who backed its adoption and implementation financially and with other resources.

What Edi Rama Said “There is no doubt that without the support of our allies, we could not have overcome the formidable resistance from those opposed to the judicial reform. But to think that this reform could ever become a reality, and that a ruling party in Albania would also be subjected to this independent justice, as the Socialist Party is now experiencing at the highest levels, indicates a commitment to true governance. If we lacked this resolve, it would mean ‘missing the forest for the trees.’ This is the truth and there is no other truth, just as there is only one truth about the state-building capabilities of Albanian politics for an EU-member Albania.”

Background: For the first time in 2025, the Albanian diaspora will have the opportunity to participate in the national elections, with an estimated 500,000 potential voters living abroad. Both the Socialist Party, led by Edi Rama, and the Democratic Party, under Sali Berisha, are actively engaging with Albanians residing overseas. Rama has initiated a tour that has already included stops in Greece and Italy, home to the majority of the Albanian expatriates. Historically, the U.S. diaspora, particularly in New York, has predominantly supported the Democrats, viewing the Socialists as successors to the communists that governed Albania for nearly five decades. However, since Rama took over the party’s leadership, he has made significant efforts to connect with these voters, and his recent meetings suggest that these efforts are beginning to bear fruit.