With just three weeks left until Albania’s May 11 parliamentary elections, Prime Minister Edi Rama is pushing for a fourth term in office by once again tapping into the powerful allure of the “European dream.” This time, he is promising Albanian citizens an EU passport in exchange for their votes – a strategy that has already stirred significant debate across political lines. The central question, however, is whether Rama’s approach is a genuine effort to further Albania’s EU integration or a calculated political maneuver designed to obscure his government’s shortcomings and scandals.
The “European Passport” Pledge: A Campaign Slogan or a Real Promise?
Just days ahead of the election, Edi Rama shared a post on his social media platforms featuring the number 5 – symbolizing the Socialist Party’s position on the ballot paper – alongside a promise to offer Albanians a “European passport.” The promise, he claims, will be fulfilled with just a vote for him and the Socialist Party on May 11. According to Rama, a single vote will give every parent the power to hand their children an EU citizenship passport, ensuring that future generations will no longer grow up as second-class citizens in the heart of Europe.
“The vote for me and the Socialist Party on May 11 will allow every parent to give their children the European Union’s passport, ensuring they don’t grow up as second-class citizens in Europe,” Rama proclaimed in his post, accompanied by the European Union flag as a symbol of this vision.
Rama’s pitch is designed to capitalize on Albania’s ongoing EU integration process, which is often seen as a pivotal goal for the country’s future. By framing the European Union as the ultimate reward for the next generation, Rama hopes to galvanize voters, particularly the youth, who are increasingly disillusioned with the political status quo and see EU membership as a means to secure better economic and social prospects. However, critics argue that Rama’s use of this promise is more of a campaign tactic than a genuine proposal for tangible change. The idea of an EU passport is undeniably enticing, but it rests on the assumption that Albania’s integration into the EU will be completed quickly – a process that is, in reality, fraught with hurdles, delays, and conditions set by Brussels.
A Questionable Reality: EU Integration as a Political Card
While the promise of a “European passport” for all Albanians sounds attractive, it is important to recognize that the EU integration process is neither swift nor entirely within the government’s control. As political experts point out, EU integration is a multi-faceted process that requires Albania to meet a series of stringent criteria set by the European Union. These include reforms in areas such as the rule of law, judicial independence, the fight against corruption, human rights, and the strengthening of democratic institutions. None of these can be achieved by a simple political decision or electoral promise.
The EU’s decision to open negotiation chapters with Albania, made in December, marked the beginning of a long journey that is unlikely to be completed within the timeframe Rama suggests. These initial negotiations focus primarily on foundational issues such as the rule of law and institutional reforms, which are far from being fully addressed. For years, Albania’s EU path has been plagued by domestic political infighting, an ineffective fight against corruption, and failures to meet democratic election standards. These problems have impeded significant progress, resulting in a drawn-out integration process that has left many frustrated and skeptical about the country’s chances of joining the EU anytime soon.
Opposition’s Response: A Tactical Use of EU Integration
The opposition, led by the Democratic Party and figures like Jorida Tabaku, have been quick to point out the flaws in Rama’s narrative. Tabaku, who serves as the Chair of the Parliamentary Committee on European Integration, told BIRN that Rama’s promises are disconnected from the reality of the integration process. According to her, it is misleading to present EU integration as a quick, achievable goal when Albania is still in the early stages of negotiations. “Using the EU integration process as a campaign tool at a time when we’re just opening negotiation chapters is irresponsible. It only serves to distract from the serious issues our country is facing,” Tabaku said. She also questioned the feasibility of Rama’s promise to conclude EU negotiations by 2027. “The process of integration has seen no real progress in the last 12 years. Now, Rama claims that what hasn’t been accomplished in over a decade will be done in just one year. This is unrealistic,” Tabaku added.
Rama’s History of Using Big Promises in Election Campaigns
Edi Rama’s history of campaign promises that focus on grand, sweeping visions for Albania is long-standing. He came to power in 2013 with bold promises to fight corruption, offer free healthcare, complete the legalization process, and establish a progressive tax system. After a successful election victory, Rama formed a coalition with Ilir Meta, once a key ally of Berisha, but by 2017, he broke ties with Meta and ran on a platform of “cleaning up” the government, accusing his former coalition partner of using the government as a “corruption machine.”
In 2021, Rama switched gears and focused his electoral campaign on justice reform, which was just beginning to yield results. Yet now, in 2025, with several key political allies facing corruption charges, including the Mayor of Tirana, Erion Veliaj, Rama has once again embraced the “European dream” as his central campaign theme. The political messaging has evolved over the years, but critics argue that it follows a familiar pattern: grand promises of a better future for Albania, while obscuring the real and persistent issues that remain unresolved.
Experts Warn: The Danger of Using EU Integration as a Political Tool
Ervis Iljazaj, a political scientist at the European University of Tirana, believes that using EU integration as a political tool is nothing new for Albanian politicians, particularly during times of transition. According to Iljazaj, Albanian politicians have long played on the public’s desire to become full European Union citizens, despite the lengthy and arduous process that lies ahead.
“Although the integration process has been long, difficult, and challenging, Albanians continue to aspire to full EU membership. Unfortunately, this aspiration is often used for political gain,” Iljazaj said.
Iljazaj believes that Rama’s sudden focus on EU integration after 12 years in power is not a coincidence. It reflects a lack of new ideas and a desire to take credit for Albania’s current progress in the negotiation process. “Now that Albania has opened its negotiation chapters, the geopolitical context is favourable, and Rama is trying to use this as his personal achievement,” he said. However, Iljazaj also warned that this political maneuver could ultimately harm the integration process. He argued that the internal political conflict created by Rama’s confrontational approach risks straining Albania’s relationship with the European Union, which requires a cooperative and collaborative environment for successful integration.
The Real Stakes Behind the “European Dream”
After 12 years in power, Prime Minister Edi Rama’s renewed promise of the “European dream” may sound appealing to many, but for many critics, it feels more like an electoral strategy than a genuine commitment to Albania’s future. With an electorate increasingly skeptical about the country’s progress and disillusioned with the political system, Rama’s promises of EU membership by 2027 are being met with caution and skepticism. As Albania moves forward on its long path to EU integration, it is clear that the process requires more than just campaign slogans and empty promises. It requires meaningful, long-term reforms, a commitment to fighting corruption, and an unwavering dedication to democratic values. Until then, the “European dream” remains just that – a dream.
Written by our correspondent A.T.
