Sali Berisha unveils business relief plan but stays silent on $6 million lobbying scandal

Democratic Party (DP) leader Sali Berisha presented new policy proposals for the garment and manufacturing sector during an electoral meeting on Monday, focusing on fiscal relief measures to support businesses. However, Berisha made no mention of the $6 million U.S. lobbying contract that has engulfed his party in controversy ahead of the May 11 elections.

Why is this important: While Berisha seeks to shift the campaign agenda toward economic issues, his silence on the growing lobbying scandal raises questions about transparency and political accountability. The contrast between the scale of the promises and the unresolved funding controversy risks undermining DP’s credibility with voters.

Context: Speaking to business leaders in the fason sector, Berisha pledged sweeping fiscal reforms if DP returns to power. Central to his proposals was the creation of a compensation mechanism for exporters harmed by the depreciation of the euro against the lek, guaranteeing full coverage of currency losses “cent for cent” through a government board.

Berisha also promised a drastic reduction in the cost of electricity for businesses, lowering the price from 18 lekë to 6 lekë per kilowatt hour. He described the measure as critical to boosting industrial production and reducing overhead costs across Albania’s export sectors.

“We will create the most business-friendly climate,” Berisha said, stressing that these pledges were not mere promises but concrete commitments.

Addressing broader economic concerns, Berisha criticized the current government’s policies for contributing to mass emigration and a sharp decline in birth rates. He claimed that over 600,000 young Albanians had left the country over the past decade, creating instability in the labor market and weakening Albania’s future prospects.

“Euro depreciation has been a devastating blow to exporters,” Berisha said. “The government has ignored the crisis and abandoned businesses at their time of need.”

Yet throughout his speech, Berisha made no reference to the $6 million lobbying contract signed by DP with Continental Strategy, a U.S. firm linked to figures from Donald Trump’s political circle. The deal, now under preliminary verification by Albania’s Special Anti-Corruption Structure (SPAK), has raised serious questions about the party’s funding sources and internal transparency.

Ethical concerns: The omission is notable as Berisha’s party faces mounting scrutiny:

The lobbying contract, unprecedented in Albanian political history, was not disclosed voluntarily but uncovered through media investigations.

The source of the $6 million remains opaque, despite DP’s claims that the funds were raised by Albanian-Americans.

Critics argue that Berisha’s silence signals an unwillingness to address fundamental questions about financial integrity while campaigning on promises of economic renewal.

Observers warn that the failure to confront the scandal directly may erode public trust and overshadow DP’s policy platform in the final stretch of the campaign.

What’s next: With SPAK’s verifications ongoing and the election approaching, the pressure on Berisha and DP to offer clear answers will only grow. For now, Berisha appears focused on advancing an economic message — but the unresolved scandal risks leaving a shadow over the campaign’s final days.