Berisha’s expectations from Trump could spell the end of U.S. influence in Albania

23 Janar 2025, 20:38Op-Ed TEMA
Berisha’s expectations from Trump could spell the end of U.S. influence in

Sali Berisha’s Facebook letter to U.S. President Donald Trump is meaningless for both Trump and Berisha. Trump will not read it, and Berisha is not genuinely concerned about whether it is read or received. Instead, the letter serves as a message to Albanian citizens—a public display that he sent a letter to Trump.

However, the letter is significant in revealing the challenges Berisha is facing. Its primary purpose is to address his issues with the previous American administration. Berisha’s central claim is that his designation as non-grata by the U.S. Department of State, his international isolation, and his electoral defeats were all the result of a leftist U.S. government that allegedly targeted right-wing politicians, including himself, around the world.

This argument highlights Berisha’s personal struggles and the impact of his age. He has never publicly engaged in such a peculiar act before. His effort to link Trump’s ideology to his own problems illustrates why he clings to politics and maintains control over the Democratic Party. He hopes the new U.S. President will revoke the corruption, democracy-undermining, and justice-blackmailing accusations against him.

Yet, if Berisha’s troubles with the U.S. were truly caused by a leftist administration, how does he explain the fact that a conservative government in the UK also designated him as non-grata? Moreover, despite spending over £600,000 to challenge this designation in British courts, he lost every case.

Berisha’s claim that the Albanian justice reform was orchestrated by George Soros also falters under scrutiny. The reform was implemented between 2016 and 2020, during Donald Trump’s presidency. And if Berisha truly believes Trump will lift his non-grata status, does he also believe this will suddenly make him a respectable figure in the eyes of Albanians?

Berisha’s non-grata status was first declared by Albanians and only later by the U.S. and the UK. Even if this designation were lifted, it would mean little to Albanian citizens. Ironically, the person who might benefit most from such a development is Edi Rama, who could defeat Berisha regardless of whether he is under U.S. sanctions or not.

If the U.S. were to bow to lobbyist pressure and revoke Berisha’s sanctions, it would damage their credibility in Albania and weaken their influence. Berisha, however, is unlikely to offer such a gift to his opponents, whose greatest concern remains the power of U.S. influence.

The article initially appeared in Albanian titled: "Mënyra se si Berisha pret përfitime nga Trumpi është fundi i SHBA-ve në Shqipëri"

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