Why is Edi Rama not announcing the new government?

Albania is going through a prolonged period of vacuum that allows Rama to hold on to power and hinder SPAC’s investigations by manipulating appointments and institutions on the eve of his fourth term.

In 2017 and 2021, Edi Rama quickly and promptly announced the lists of ministers in his new government, demonstrating his commitment to a fast and organized transition. After winning his second term, he published the ministers at the end of July, stressing that there was no time for holidays and that the entire team should focus on drafting the plan for the new term. In 2021, the ministers were announced at the beginning of August in a large meeting of the Socialist Party at the Palace of Congresses, where the four-year plan for the third term was also discussed.

Unlike in those years, after winning his fourth term and with the largest majority to date, Rama is delaying the announcement of the list of ministers in the new government. Sources within the majority indicate that there are no plans to announce this list during August either, while the latest talk points to September — more specifically, the first or second week.

This long period of uncertainty reflects a distorted situation in the transfer of power in Albania, which since 2013 has followed an unusually lengthy process compared to developed Western countries. In nations such as the USA, UK, Germany, or Italy, the transfer of power is clearly defined and happens quickly, avoiding long periods of vacuum, whereas in Albania, the outgoing government continues to make important decisions and grant concessions and permits without limits.

This vacuum benefits Rama, who fears that his fourth term will face major obstacles from the very beginning. His main concern is the possibility of SPAC launching investigations into a member of his new cabinet, which could undermine the government’s legitimacy right from the start. For this reason, Rama has prepared two scenarios: one involves appointing an initial list of ministers who could be replaced after January 2026, and the other more likely involves appointing several ministers from the opposition ranks, specifically from the Democratic Party, using the strategy of bringing in personalities close to or drawn from opposition circles to ensure control and stability.

At its core, these moves are linked to Rama’s desire to prevent SPAC from launching a wave of intensive investigations during August and September, which also coincide with the end of Altin Dumani’s term as head of the Special Prosecution. With the formation of the new parliament, the majority will use its mechanisms to determine the fate of SPAC and its leadership. This process will unfold after political and diplomatic discussions and negotiations that will decide whether SPAC will maintain its independence or become more controlled by politics.

The situation is highly complex and reflects the tensions between power and justice in Albania, making this period one of the most unstable for the country’s institutions and for the future of the fight against corruption.

“KORÇA BOOM”