A New Beginning or Just Continuity?
The new Albanian government has officially taken office after being approved in Parliament. Following tradition, the Prime Minister and his cabinet — including Belinda Balluku (Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Energy), Albana Koçiu (Minister of Interior), Elisa Spiropali (Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs), Petrit Malaj (Minister of Finance) and others — took their oaths before President Bajram Begaj.
Despite the formal ceremony and a renewed program, many Albanians remain skeptical. Elections were contested, legitimacy was debated, and the sense of continuity overshadows the promises of change.
The Shadow of Corruption
Albania continues to face serious challenges with corruption, one of the highest in Europe according to international reports. Citizens question whether the new cabinet — with figures such as Blendi Gonxhja (Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport), Sofjan Jaupaj (Minister of Environment), Mirela Kumbaro Furxhi (Minister of Education), Evis Sala (Minister of Health and Social Welfare), and Delina Ibrahimaj (Minister of Economy and Innovation) — can deliver the reforms the country urgently needs.
“Diella”: Innovation or Symbolism?
One of the most striking announcements is the establishment of a virtual ministry of Artificial Intelligence, called “Diella.” International headlines welcomed the novelty, but within Albania opinions are divided. Artificial intelligence works on input, and in a system where institutions still struggle with transparency, many fear that Diella could remain more symbolic than practical.
The Role of the Opposition
The opposition, meanwhile, continues to challenge the electoral process but often fails to engage with the pressing issues citizens care about most — unemployment, healthcare, emigration, and living standards. For many Albanians, this makes the opposition appear less like a counterbalance and more like a political actor disconnected from the everyday struggles of those it represents.
Citizens Between Hope and Doubt
The full cabinet — which also includes Besfort Lamallari (Minister of Justice), Pirro Vengu (Minister of Defense), Andis Salla (Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development), Ervin Demo (Minister for Local Government), Majlinda Dhuka (Minister of State and Chief Negotiator), Adea Pirdeni (Minister of State for Public Administration and Anti-Corruption), and Toni Gogu (Minister of State for Relations with Parliament) — now faces the task of proving that this government can be more than continuity.
Conclusion: Ceremony vs. Substance
The new cabinet begins its mandate under the weight of expectations and skepticism. While “Diella” showcases ambition in digital governance, the persistence of corruption and the lack of concrete opposition on citizens’ key concerns cast doubt on meaningful progress. Albanians, both at home and abroad, are left waiting to see if this government will bring real substance — or just another ceremonial reshuffle.