Trump victory ignites debate in Albania: who gains more – Rama or Berisha?
Since Donald Trump’s victory in the U.S., an intense debate has erupted in Albania about who stands to gain politically: Prime Minister Edi Rama or opposition leader Sali Berisha. The Democratic Party (DP) is especially enthusiastic, with some members acting as though they’ve won an election. Multiple DP representatives have claimed on talk shows and interviews that Trump’s win will change the opposition’s fate and potentially lift Berisha’s non grata designation from the U.S.
Berisha himself has declared Trump’s victory as the end of a “Soros-financed conspiracy” against democracy in Albania. However, despite the Democratic Party’s optimism—rooted in their ideological alignment with the Republicans—there’s the undeniable fact that Edi Rama has already built strong ties with Trump’s team.
Why is this important: The debate underscores how international events can shape local dynamics. Rama’s established connections with Trump’s allies could mean he’s better positioned to develop a working relationship with the new U.S. administration. For Berisha however, the value may lie elsewhere: this rhetoric may give hope and mobilize his supporters that better days lie ahead.
The perceptions of Albanians, as captured by a new survey, provide a fascinating snapshot of these sentiments.
Survey findings: JAVANEWS, in collaboration with respected pollster Eduard Zaloshnja, conducted a survey of 1,117 Albanian adults, adjusted for demographic, geographic, and political representation.
Key results:
- 41.5% believe Rama will benefit more from Trump’s victory.
- 29.2% think Berisha will gain more.
- 29.3% say neither will see significant benefits.
The panorama becomes even more revealing when the results are compared against the results of the last elections. With very few deviations, the figures overlap with the electoral results of 2023, highlighting the entrenched political divisions in Albania. As Trump’s return to power looms, Albanians views on whether his presidency will favor Rama or Berisha—or have little effect at all – seem to be shaped by party affiliation.
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