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Prestigious American media 'Bloomberg': Recent corruption scandals endanger Rama's government in Albania
2025-12-17 12:29:47 / POLITIKË
The recent scandals that have engulfed Edi Rama risk undermining the government in Albania.
This is reported by the well-known American agency, 'Bloomberg'.
Her writing refers to the failure of an investment by Donald Trump's son-in-law in Serbia.
But the agency emphasizes that despite the fact that Jared Kushner's project has not been canceled in Albania, a series of corruption scandals risk undermining Rama's government.
“In Albania, a proposal to transform an isolated island in the Adriatic is moving forward, even as the country is mired in a series of corruption scandals that risk undermining the government.
The special prosecutor's office has opened investigations into the largest infrastructure projects in Vlora, the municipality where the investment is planned. They are related to a new international airport and a highway tunnel,” writes Bloomberg.
“This year has brought an unprecedented number of investigations into high-level projects and officials in Tirana, including some of Rama's closest associates.
Last month, the Special Prosecution Office, known as SPAK, filed charges against Belinda Balluku, Minister of Infrastructure and Energy and Rama’s Deputy Prime Minister. The charges relate to “violation of equality of participants in public tenders or auctions,” allegedly committed in collaboration with other officials.
She is the highest-ranking official from Rama's inner circle to face charges. Several agency heads and members of procurement committees have also been charged with the same criminal offense and are under house arrest.
Balluku was suspended from her cabinet duties and banned from leaving the country. She denies any wrongdoing, calling the accusations “slander, insinuations, half-truths and lies.” She promised full cooperation with authorities.
This week, SPAK officially submitted a request to the Albanian Parliament to lift Balluk's immunity from prosecution. She is also under investigation for her involvement in seven other public procurement procedures related to major infrastructure projects in Tirana, SPAK announced.
Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj, another close ally of Rama, was arrested earlier this year on charges of corruption, money laundering, and concealment of assets.
While the prime minister welcomed the investigations, he warned against “conviction in the court of politics or the media.” He criticized Balluk’s suspension as a “harsh interference” in executive power, hindering the government’s ability to function.
“The noble goal of fighting corruption does not justify the use of wrong means,” Rama said. His office did not respond to requests for an interview or comment for this article.
SPAK is also investigating Vlora International Airport, one of Albania's major infrastructure projects, with a focus on the concession contract.
The airport was supposed to be operational this summer to handle record numbers of tourists. During a visit in March, Rama called the airport “a reflection of our ambition.” Instead, the final phase of construction has been suspended,” writes the well-known American media.
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