Who will leave and who will stay? Day two in Pogradec: Rama faces the ministers

Prime Minister Edi Rama is meeting with ministers, deputy ministers and senior officials today, as speculation grows within the Socialist Party about a major reshuffle of the government cabinet. The expected Socialist Assembly could be the moment when Rama reveals the composition of the new government.

Rama is holding the second day of political meetings in Pogradec today, this time with ministers, deputy ministers and senior administration officials.

The meeting comes at a time when speculation about major cabinet changes has intensified within the ruling majority, turning today’s gathering into a test for ministers who are waiting to learn whether they will remain part of the new government.

Rama is expected to hold an extended meeting with the government team, focusing on the work carried out so far, priorities for the new term and a series of planned reforms to the functioning of the administration.

One of the issues expected to be discussed is the reform of procedures for public procurement and the granting of important permits. The government is reportedly considering establishing a new oversight system, with French experts expected to provide assistance in adapting elements of their model to Albania.

Beyond the reform discussions, however, attention is also focused on the political fate of the ministers themselves.

Scenarios of a major government reshuffle are circulating within the Socialist Party, with speculation that only a few of the current ministers may retain their positions. These reports remain unconfirmed, however, and so far Rama has not made public either the names or the scale of the changes he may undertake.

According to speculation circulating within the Socialist Party, the current heads of the Defense Ministry, the Energy Ministry, and the State Ministry for Negotiations with the European Union are among those expected to remain in their positions, while replacements with Socialist political figures are being discussed for the rest.

In this context, there has also been speculation about the return to government of a well-known Socialist Party figure who could be entrusted with an important cabinet position and a political role in Tirana. One of the names being mentioned is Pandeli Majko. However, until there is official confirmation, this remains only one of the scenarios being discussed ahead of Rama’s decisions.

The lack of official confirmation and anticipation surrounding the Prime Minister’s next moves make today’s meeting in Pogradec particularly important for the current cabinet. With the Socialist Party Assembly expected to meet next week, the structure of the new government could become clearer there.

Meanwhile, on Tuesday, Rama is expected to appear before the Socialist parliamentary group, where discussions will focus on the “Besa” points and the annexes to the Socialist Party’s reflection document.

The meetings in Pogradec thus mark the beginning of an intense week for the Socialists, at the end of which it is expected to become clearer which ministers will remain and which will make way for new names in the cabinet.

“KORÇA BOOM”