Avdimetaj: Berisha’s trip to the United States, a chance for political renewal

Analyst Shefqet Avdimetaj considers the lifting of the sanctions that allowed former Prime Minister Sali Berisha to travel to the United States again a constructive step. In his view, this move matters not only for Berisha personally, but for all of Albania, because any step that normalizes dialogue between Albanian politics and its strategic ally, the United States, serves the national interest.

Avdimetaj emphasizes that for a long period, Prime Minister Edi Rama used political and diplomatic channels in Washington and beyond to keep Berisha isolated. For this reason, he sees the latest decision as an event with political overtones, but warns that it should not be interpreted as an immediate signal of Berisha’s return to government.

“Power is not taken in Washington; it is won in Albania through the vote of the citizens,” Avdimetaj told “Bota sot,” adding that if Berisha aims to create a credible governing alternative, he must write a new page.

According to him, the former head of government must create synergies with new energies, highlight fresh figures and build a team capable of offering the country a different model of leadership. Avdimetaj believes that Albania needs not simply a change of government, but a transformation of the philosophy of governance.

“If Berisha wants to build a credible alternative, he must open a new chapter, cooperate with new forces, promote young cadres and create a team capable of giving Albania a different kind of government,” he states.

In this context, Avdimetaj interprets Berisha’s trip to the United States not as a mechanical return to power, but as a window of opportunity for a new political beginning. He stresses that the Albanian opposition must be more inclusive, younger and more productive in creating new political generations.

A substantial part of his analysis is devoted to the relationship between Albania and Kosovo. He calls for much deeper coordination between the institutions of the two states, arguing that the strategic interests of Tirana and Pristina are inseparable and cannot always be defended separately.

“A more coordinated Albania and Kosovo would carry much greater weight in the region and in international relations,” Avdimetaj says.

In his view, stronger synchronization between Tirana and Pristina would also be the strongest response to regional policies seeking to establish balances to the detriment of Albanian interests. He argues that the more united and harmonized the two countries are, the less room there will be for other political and media interests and agendas seeking to influence the Albanian sphere.

“The more united and coordinated Tirana and Pristina are, the less space there will be for other political and media pairings and interests seeking to influence the Albanian agenda,” he emphasizes.

In conclusion, Avdimetaj returns to Berisha’s visit to the United States, arguing that it should not be regarded merely as an individual matter or as a guaranteed indication of his return to the helm. For him, the value of this development lies in the possibility of a political reconfiguration and the formation of a more competent opposition.

“I would not view Berisha’s visit to the United States simply as a personal matter or as an automatic warning of his return to power. I would see it as an opportunity for a new political beginning, a more open and younger opposition, one better able to produce new cadres and, above all, an Albania that cooperates much more closely with Kosovo,” Avdimetaj concludes.

From his perspective, the political debate should not be narrowed down solely to the question of who will take power, but above all to what transformation that power will bring to Albania and the Albanian nation.