From a prison cell to the campaign trail, Ilir Meta, leader of the Party of Freedom (PL) and former President of Albania, has announced his candidacy for the May 11, 2025, parliamentary elections. Despite facing serious legal charges – including corruption, money laundering, and concealment of wealth – Meta has chosen to contest the elections from an open list in Tirana, rejecting a closed-list spot within the Democratic Party – Alliance for a Greater Albania coalition. His decision is high-stakes, both for his political survival and for Albania’s opposition movement, which is rallying against what they claim is selective justice by the ruling Socialist Party.
Why Is Meta in Prison?
Meta’s legal troubles escalated on October 21, 2024, when he was arrested following an investigation into corruption and illicit financial activities. His wife, Monika Kryemadhi, also faces charges in the same case. On October 23, Meta appeared before the Special Court Against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK), where he spent the day in a glass cage during a closed-door hearing. The court upheld the decision to keep him in pre-trial detention, rejecting his appeal.
The accusations center around unexplained wealth and financial transactions, allegedly involving hidden assets and offshore dealings. Meta denies the charges, calling them politically motivated, while Prime Minister Edi Rama’s Socialist government insists they are part of Albania’s ongoing judicial reforms. Regardless of the legal outcome, Meta’s arrest has deepened political polarization, with his supporters branding him a victim of political persecution, while critics argue that he is finally facing justice after years in power.
Why Is Meta Running for Parliament?
Despite his imprisonment, Meta remains one of Albania’s most influential opposition figures. His decision to run for office serves multiple strategic and political purposes:
1. Fighting for Political Survival
By choosing to run in an open list, Meta is putting his popularity directly to the test, rather than securing a guaranteed seat through party negotiations. If he wins, it would reinforce his claim that the charges against him are a politically driven attempt to silence him.
2. Strengthening the Opposition Coalition
Meta’s alliance with Sali Berisha’s Democratic Party (PD) is a critical component of the opposition’s efforts to challenge the Socialist government. He has framed the elections as a referendum against Rama, arguing that Albania needs “a political revolution” to restore democracy.
3. Legal and Political Protection
Winning a parliamentary seat could provide Meta with some level of political immunity or, at the very least, a stronger platform to fight the legal charges against him. If elected, he would have greater leverage in shaping the narrative around his case.
A Risky Political Gamble
Running for office from behind bars is an unprecedented move in Albanian politics, and the stakes could not be higher.
⦁ If Meta wins, he will emerge as a martyr-like figure in the opposition, strengthening his influence.
⦁ If he loses, it could mark the end of his political career, as it would signal that his once-powerful base has eroded.
Public opinion will play a crucial role in determining whether voters see him as a victim of political persecution or a disgraced politician seeking refuge in politics. Meanwhile, his opponents argue that Albania’s justice system must prove that no politician is above the law.
As the May 11 elections approach, Meta’s candidacy ensures that the battle between law, power, and political survival remains at the forefront of Albania’s political landscape. Whether this move secures his comeback or accelerates his downfall remains to be seen.
Written by our correspondent A.T.
