This Thursday, Democratic Party MP Jorida Tabaku hosted at the Albanian Parliament 23 representatives of the World Economic Forum (WEF) Young Global Leaders community, with whom she held an open meeting on the challenges and development prospects of Albania.
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The meeting was attended by company executives, academics, independent professionals, and representatives from various fields.
The discussion focused on Albania’s path to the European Union, the economic and political situation, the investment climate, and the impact of technology on the country’s future.
Tabaku emphasized that her criticisms of the government stem from her belief in Albania and its potential.
“You will never hear a bad word about Albania from me. I strongly believe in my country and the opportunities it offers. But the system that governs today is rotten and must be changed, so that cooperation with partner countries and the opportunities you represent truly serve Albania and Albanians,” she said.
According to Tabaku, Albania has great human, economic, and natural potential, which remains untapped because of a governing model that favors a minority.
“A government built for the interests of a minority can offer neither competitive capitalism nor the functional democracy that Albanians demand. Albania needs a majority economy, where opportunities do not depend on connections to power, but on work, skill, and competition,” Tabaku declared.
Asked about the opposition’s economic vision, the PD MP said the country must break away from the model that concentrates wealth and opportunities in a few hands.
“The path to a better Albania goes through dismantling the economic system that is stifling competition, entrepreneurship, and hope. We must build an economy that produces well-being for the majority, not privileges for a handful of people,” she stressed.
An important part of the conversation was devoted to money laundering and its impact on the economy. Tabaku warned that capitals of dubious origin are distorting the market and driving away serious investors.
“Dirty money is contaminating the Albanian economy. The fact that this issue is now widely discussed abroad is both significant and worrying. It distorts competition, damages entire sectors, and prevents serious businesses from investing in Albania,” Tabaku said.
She also criticized the adoption of laws that, according to her, serve special interests, singling out the strategic investment law.
“Custom-made laws harm both democracy and the incomes of Albanians. The strategic investment law is an example of how an instrument that was supposed to attract capital and development was used for political and economic favors. Albania needs serious foreign investment, especially in technology and advanced sectors, not projects that enrich the government’s clients,” Tabaku stated.
Speaking about artificial intelligence, she said that Albania should see technology as a development opportunity and not as a tool of control.
“Albania has potential in the field of artificial intelligence, but technology must be used to empower citizens and the economy, not to control them. When vital and traditional sectors are struggling, it becomes much harder to build an economy that keeps pace with the technological revolution,” she said.
Regarding foreign policy and European integration, Tabaku stressed that the opposition unreservedly supports Albania’s Euro-Atlantic orientation.
“Our national objective is Europe and membership in the European Union. We have the enthusiasm and readiness to push forward reforms. Unfortunately, corruption and lack of political will are often used by the majority to justify delays,” said the chairwoman of the Committee on Human Rights and Public Information Media.
She added that one of the points where the opposition has held a different stance from the government is the “Open Balkan” initiative, reiterating that the only strategic path for Albania remains full integration into the European Union.
The World Economic Forum representatives are in Albania for a multi-day visit, during which they are holding meetings with representatives from both political sides. They earlier met with members of the government and the parliamentary majority.
