By David L. Phillips
Anti-government protesters in Albania portray recent events as “Tunisia-style” people power. In reality, the orchestrated street riots were a naked grab for power. The Obama administration must not be snookered into supporting a power grab masquerading as a pro-democracy movement. It should use America’s considerable influence in Albania to calm tensions and make sure the perpetrators of violence are held accountable.
Tirana Mayor Edi Rama, who heads the opposition Socialist Party, is the chief culprit. Rama has been trying to create a crisis since he was defeated in Albania’s June 2009 elections. Socialist Party election observers did not object when the ballot boxes were sealed. Albania’s Constitutional Court affirmed the election’s legality. The U.S. State Department maintained that election was Albania’s best since the overthrow of Communist rule 20 years ago. When the results came in, Rama alleged electoral fraud. International observers repudiated Rama’s allegations.
The Socialists were beaten fair and square. However, they refused to be seated in the parliament. Ever since, they have tried to obstruct the government of Prime Minister Sali Berisha at every turn. For Rama, politics is more about personal power and enrichment than public service.
Last week’s violent street protests were a desperate bid to salvage the Socialist Party from decline. The Socialists were expecting a thrashing in municipal elections scheduled for May 8. Looking for a game-changer, Rama incited violence to create a crisis as pretext for demanding early national elections.
There are reasons why support for the Socialists is slipping. Berisha’s Democratic Party can point to real achievements since it came to power in 2005.
Albania was asked to become a member of NATO in April 2008. The European Union finalized its Visa Liberalization Dialogue enabling visa-free travel for Albanian passport holders to Europe in November 2010. And the EU recently provided a roadmap for Albania to become a candidate for membership.
Despite the global economic crisis, Albania has seen steady economic growth. It has realized macroeconomic stability, mild inflation, relative currency stability, and banking credit expansion. The government is committed to privatization and market economic reforms. Poverty rates have plummeted. Albania’s 10% personal corporate flat tax has spurred Foreign Direct Investment. Albania experienced positive GDP growth in 2010 when almost all other countries experienced a decline.
The Government has strengthened the rule of law via legislation promoting an independent judiciary. It has adopted measures enhancing checks and balances among the branches of government. To mitigate corruption, the Public Administration Service was downsized. Tax and customs collection were made more efficient. Procurements are published and more transparent. Steps have been taken to curtail the informal economic sector and take on organized crime. Albania was once a haven for human trafficking. Today it is a model for cracking down on trafficking and assisting victims.
For sure, corruption is still a problem that will take decades to eradicate. Albania shares the same problems as other post-Communist and post-conflict countries in Southeastern Europe.
On January 14, Albania’s deputy prime minister and economy minister were taped purportedly discussing a kickback. The Deputy Prime Minister immediately resigned; action by the prosecutor is pending. An investigation is underway to determine the tape’s authenticity.
Rama presented the resulting street protest as a spontaneous expression of popular frustration. In fact, Rama and his opportunistic Socialists bused in thousands of paid protesters and plotted a violent overthrow of the government. Protesters acted aggressively hurling stones and charging police. It is deeply regrettable that three protesters were killed when they tried to storm the prime minister’s office. U.S. experts are supporting the prosecutor to investigate the incident so that the finding is objective and accurate. Perpetrators of violence — be they plotters, protesters or police — should be prosecuted.
Albania’s politicians should take a step back from the brink and moderate their overheated rhetoric. Berisha and his Democratic Party supporters have discontinued street protests. However, Rama continues to organize events around the country. The right to peaceful assembly is sacrosanct. But it occurs in context. Albania needs positive leadership not self-serving rabble rousing.
America’s involvement demands moral clarity. Albania is one of the few countries where the United States is beloved. To use its influence, the Obama administration should stop prevaricating and make clear it stands in support of Albania’s constitution and the rule of law. Recent violence is a challenge not only to peace and progress in Albania. It is also a challenge to America’s standing in a region that was the focus of U.S. foreign policy in the 1990s.
Mr. Phillips is Director of the Program on Peacebuilding and Rights at Columbia University.
