Albania: Rama’s crackdown on local officials amid illegal construction scandal

In a bold and unexpected move, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama issued an ultimatum on 11 July, demanding the dismissal of approximately 340 local administrative unit governors – equivalent to community leaders – appointed by mayors of his ruling Socialist Party of Albania (PS) by Monday.

The announcement, made during a nationwide meeting of mayors in the northern coastal city of Durrës, was driven by widespread municipal dysfunction during the peak tourist season and a scandal involving illegal construction in Theth, a protected tourist village in the Albanian Alps. (The Accursed Mountains, also known as the Albanian Alps, is a mountain range in coastal Southeast Europe adjacent to the Adriatic Sea.)

Edi Rama and the Socialist Party

Edi Rama, a charismatic and polarising figure, has been Albania’s prime minister since 2013, leading the Socialist Party to successive electoral victories, including a decisive win in the 11 May parliamentary elections. A former artist and basketball player, Rama’s colourful persona – marked by vibrant suits, bold rhetoric, and a penchant for urban renewal projects – has made him a dominant force in Albanian politics.

His leadership blends progressive reforms with accusations of authoritarianism, as critics point to his control over media and judicial institutions. The Socialist Party, rooted in Albania’s post-communist transition, has governed since 2013, securing 74 of 140 parliamentary seats in 2025, bolstered by Rama’s focus on modernization, tourism, and EU integration aspirations.

However, the party faces criticism for corruption and cronyism, particularly at the local level, which Rama’s latest move appears to address.

The ultimatum and Theth scandal

Rama’s demand targets governors appointed by Socialist Party mayors, sparing six opposition-controlled municipalities out of Albania’s 61. The decision was spurred by illegal construction in Theth, a UNESCO-nominated protected area in the Albanian Alps, where a surge of unauthorized buildings emerged before and after the 2025 elections.

According to Rama, police filed nearly 40 reports with prosecutors, but no criminal proceedings followed, with some prosecutors allegedly justifying the violations.

“Arbitrary building is a crime. And in a protected area like Theth, it is an even graver crime,” Rama declared, signalling a broader campaign against local governance failures.

New measures to combat arbitrariness

Rama outlined stringent measures to curb illegal construction, including establishing a digital monitoring center to track unauthorized building activities, mandating real-time camera surveillance by construction companies, implementing tracking systems for construction waste management, revoking permits and prosecuting architects who violate regulations, and cutting electricity and water to illegal structures.

Additionally, Rama proposed creating a national water utility, modeled on the state electricity company OSHEE, and a state-owned waste management company to address systemic infrastructure issues.

These steps align with ongoing nationwide operations to reclaim public spaces from illegal occupations, a process often met with social unrest and political clashes.

Context and implications

The ultimatum reflects Rama’s attempt to reassert central government control over local structures, where Socialist Party-appointed officials have been criticised for mismanagement and corruption. The Theth scandal underscores broader challenges in Albania’s tourism-driven economy, where illegal constructions threaten environmental and cultural heritage.

Rama’s aggressive stance may bolster his reformist image but risks escalating tensions with local officials and communities, especially as the Socialist Party consolidates power post-election. The opposition, led by the Democratic Party, controls only a handful of municipalities, limiting their influence but potentially fuelling political friction if Rama’s reforms are perceived as heavy-handed.

Caption: Albania’s Prime Minister Edi Rama at the 6th European Political Community (EPC) Summit in Tirana, Albania, 16 May 2025. The meeting brings together leaders from across the continent under the theme ‘New Europe in a new world: unity – cooperation – joint action’. EPA/MALTON DIBRA