Sali Berisha vows to repeal controversial medical graduate work law

Democratic Party leader Sali Berisha has pledged to immediately repeal a law requiring medical graduates in Albania to work for three years in the country or repay the cost of their tuition. The promise came during a campaign event with students from the Faculty of Medicine, as Berisha continues to search for momentum in a race where his campaign has so far lacked a clear policy direction and energy.

Why this is important: The law was introduced by the Socialist government in response to a growing healthcare workforce crisis, as Albania loses a significant number of trained doctors—mostly to Germany and other EU countries—each year. With education funded by taxpayers, the measure aimed to ensure that graduates serve domestically before emigrating. Berisha’s vow to repeal the law, without offering an alternative strategy, seems to be a mere proposal to win the students support without any thought given to the consequences for a sector already facing shortages and systemic strain.

Context: Berisha called the law “antidemocratic and unconstitutional” and pledged to overturn it in the very first government meeting if elected. “This law discriminates against students and violates the basic principles of a democratic society,” he told the audience. He rejected the idea of waiting for a court decision, declaring the law would be scrapped outright.

He blamed the government for allowing the public system to deteriorate, accusing it of enabling a private healthcare monopoly. He pointed to hospitals like the one in Kukës, which he claimed are left without staff or essential equipment.

Campaign strategy:
As his campaign shows signs of stalling and with no comprehensive policy program yet unveiled and surveys showing a double digit advantage for his rivals, Berisha has increasingly turned to pledges of reversing existing laws and government decisions. The strategy appears focused on targeting groups likely to feel disaffected—such as young medical professionals and students—with promises to undo unpopular measures rather than proposing new alternatives.

What’s next: Berisha also pledged to double the budgets for healthcare and education and to open a second Faculty of Medicine. However, without addressing how to retain professionals in the country, critics argue that repealing the law may further deepen Albania’s medical brain drain.