Europe Can Coax Albanian Reform Amid Corruption Protests

Recent violent protests in Albania have intensified scrutiny of endemic corruption within Prime Minister Edi Rama’s government, particularly following corruption charges against Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku. Accused of favoring a company for a tunnel project, Balluku’s case has sparked public outrage after parliament refused to lift her immunity. This incident is part of broader allegations linking Rama’s Socialist Party to organized crime and abuse of office, despite their fourth consecutive election victory in 2025. While mass demonstrations in Tirana have turned violent, with clashes involving tear gas and Molotov cocktails, Rama retains a strong parliamentary majority and economic support from tourism investments, including a major deal with the Trump family. The article argues that domestic unrest alone is unlikely to force reform due to Rama’s tight grip on power. Instead, it suggests that the European Union holds significant leverage by conditioning Albania’s EU accession progress on tangible anti-corruption measures. The piece highlights the role of the Special Anti-Corruption and Organized Crime Structure (SPAK) and emphasizes Europe's opportunity to apply diplomatic pressure to ensure judicial independence and political accountability in Albania.