By Ben Andoni
The election campaign de jure begins on Friday, April 11, but de facto, it started many months ago. Now, as we approach the finish line (paradoxically, with another month to go before voting), it feels as though Albanians are already waiting for their turn to vote today. Promises of tax cuts, European integration (a done deal), and reforms in healthcare and education are well-worn phrases in these parts, as are the broken promises that come with them.
However, the Socialist Party (SP) is playing hard, personalizing everything with the slogan “Albania 2030 in the EU, only with Edi and the SP.” Fortunately, on the other side stands Berisha! Like never before, Rama has removed his mask and openly embraced his cult of personality with this slogan. The Democratic Party (DP), led by Berisha, seems to express its thirst for power with the campaign slogan “Join the Victory,” which speaks volumes about the personal touch that will unfold under the slogan “Great Albania and… (Save Albania).” Albania seems to be at the edge. Konica believed that God would protect Albania, and time has shown we are nearing the reality of that belief. Berisha, however, cannot hide his insatiable thirst for power. Despite his lack of widespread trust, exacerbated by the chaos caused by the arrival of Chris LaCivitta—whose visit was kept secret until now—there is a belief in Berisha’s camp that the philosophy that brought Trump to power could work in Albania, too. The presence of a strategist like LaCivitta promises much, especially in terms of American PR for Berisha. Ironically, Berisha remains non-grata by the U.S. Department of State, and no one today, given the changes in the administration, knows whether the “ace” up LaCivitta’s sleeve could make a difference. In Albania, the words of foreign chancelleries and international officials are still taken as gospel. Meanwhile, Rama has gone even further, hailing Trump as a blessing for the times, even as he mocks Europe’s upheaval, all while running his campaign under the guise of European integration.
Albania’s election campaign is being fueled by foreign inspirations, while the country faces a mountain of internal problems: sky-high prices, the impoverishment of the masses, the enrichment of a select few, and above all, the lack of hope due to the red-blue promises. In this context, the average Albanian knows that Sisyphus’ role is hard, yet he continues to perform it regularly. Therefore, this election campaign, aside from the blind enthusiasm of the partisans, is met with indifference, and the biggest challenge for the parties will be getting people to the voting booth.
What is already known a priori is that on May 12, Albanians will remain just as poor as they were on May 12, 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029, and beyond… until European integration (it’s unlikely we will ever be quite like other countries), a natural process for our country, just like NATO membership and visa liberalization. Hence, the coldness of the Albanian public during this time is organic, as politicians exaggerate to the point of grotesqueness with their promises, bringing the metaphor of the unfortunate Sisyphus to the forefront. (Javanews)
