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Two Republican members of the U.S. Congress have urged Secretary of State Marco Rubio to consider visa restrictions against Albanian officials suspected of significant corruption, warning that democracy and the rule of law in the NATO ally are facing growing challenges amid widespread protests against Prime Minister Edi Rama’s government.
In a letter addressed to Rubio, Congressman Joe Wilson of South Carolina and Congressman Keith Self of Texas, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Europe, called on the State Department to use its authority under Section 7031(c) to publicly designate Albanian officials involved in significant corruption as ineligible for U.S. visas. The measures could also extend to their immediate family members where appropriate.
The letter, first reported by Fox News Digital, expresses concern that progress made through judicial reforms in Albania remains fragile and risks being reversed.
“We write to express our concern regarding the state of democracy and the rule of law in the Republic of Albania,” the congressmen stated, emphasizing that the United States has invested heavily in judicial reforms and has a strong interest in ensuring their success.
Belinda Balluku case puts Albania’s anti-corruption efforts under scrutiny
The Republican lawmakers specifically highlighted the case of former Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku, who has been accused by the Special Structure Against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK) of interference in public procurement procedures for road construction projects.
In December 2025, prosecutors asked Parliament to lift her immunity to allow her arrest. Prime Minister Edi Rama described the request as unconstitutional, and Parliament did not authorize the arrest.
The congressmen argued that Albania’s anti-corruption institutions cannot succeed if political leaders protect officials under investigation.
The letter also referred to an investigation involving former State Intelligence Service chief Vlora Hyseni, who is suspected of misusing access to information to assist an individual suspected of criminal activity.
The allegations remain subject to the relevant legal proceedings, and the letter does not constitute a finding of guilt.
Four questions Washington wants answered by November 5
Wilson and Self requested a response from the State Department by November 5, raising four principal questions about U.S. policy toward Albania.
They asked whether Washington would review Albanian officials for visa restrictions under Section 7031(c), and whether Global Magnitsky sanctions would also be considered where the evidence supports such action.
They also sought details about U.S. assistance to SPAK, the High Inspector of Justice and broader judicial reforms, including measures to protect these institutions from political pressure.
Another question concerns whether the State Department has raised with the Albanian government Parliament’s failure to approve SPAK’s request to arrest Balluku and what response it received.
Finally, the lawmakers asked how the U.S. Embassy in Tirana is cooperating with Albanian authorities over police conduct during protests and the safety of journalists, and whether Washington supports independent investigations into documented incidents.
Protests against Edi Rama intensify
The congressional intervention comes amid escalating political tensions in Albania, where demonstrations have brought together students and other citizens demanding accountability, action against corruption and the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama.
The protests have been fueled by allegations of government corruption, concerns about education, unemployment and limited economic opportunities. Demonstrations in Tirana have also targeted government institutions and the headquarters of the ruling Socialist Party.
Some protests have turned violent, with demonstrators throwing Molotov cocktails toward the Ministry of Education and clashing with police. Authorities have deployed special intervention units to protect government buildings.
Rama has rejected calls to resign and blamed what he described as foreign forces seeking to undermine Albania’s European integration. He has also proposed dialogue with protesters.
The Republican lawmakers, however, raised concerns about the use of force against demonstrators and the treatment of journalists covering the unrest.
Speaking to Fox News Digital, Wilson said Congress was deeply concerned about the situation in Albania and called for action against corruption and alleged links between government figures and narcotics trafficking.
Media freedom and judicial independence under pressure
The letter also highlighted concerns about the Albanian media environment, including concentrated ownership, opaque financing and links between media proprietors and political interests.
According to the letter, ten press freedom organizations warned on July 30, 2026, about obstacles, threats and attacks against journalists covering protests. The organizations reportedly documented 15 threats and attacks during June and July and questioned the use of water cannons and tear gas against demonstrators.
The lawmakers stressed that the credibility of Albania’s judicial reform depends on the ability of institutions such as SPAK to investigate powerful officials without political interference.
They also called for visa restrictions to be applied consistently, regardless of political affiliation, arguing that such measures would demonstrate U.S. support for Albanians demanding accountability.
Albania’s EU ambitions face renewed scrutiny
Albania, which became an official candidate for European Union membership in 2014, has made judicial reform and the fight against organized crime central elements of its accession process.
Although the European Commission’s 2025 assessment recognized progress in judicial reform and efforts against organized crime, continuing corruption allegations and the current political unrest could complicate the country’s European ambitions.
The letter cited international assessments that paint a mixed picture of Albania’s democratic institutions, corruption levels and political development. It also referred to the V-Dem Democracy Report 2026, which classifies Albania as an electoral autocracy.
The congressmen further drew attention to parallels between Albania’s protests and the student-supported anti-corruption movement in neighboring Serbia, where prolonged demonstrations challenged the political leadership of Aleksandar Vučić.
Former Albanian ambassador to the United Nations and the United States Agim Nesho told Fox News that the developments in Serbia offered a significant comparison with the growing unrest in Albania.
The central question now is whether Washington will translate its concerns into concrete measures against officials suspected of corruption and increase pressure to protect judicial independence, media freedom and the right to protest.
For the Rama government, the congressional letter represents a fresh challenge to its international standing at a time when Albania is seeking to advance toward EU membership while facing mounting domestic criticism over corruption and democratic accountability.
Congress of the United States
Washington, DC 20515
October 22, 2026
The Honorable Marco Rubio
U.S. Department of State
2201 C Street NW
Washington, DC 20520
Dear Secretary Rubio,
We write to express concern about the state of democracy and the rule of law in the Republic of Albania, a NATO ally and candidate for European Union membership[cite: 1]. The United States has invested heavily in Albania's justice reforms and has a strong interest in their success[cite: 1]. Recent events suggest that progress is fragile and, in key areas, at risk of reversal[cite: 1]. We urge you to use the Department's visa restriction authority under Section 7031(c) against Albanian officials complicit in significant corruption[cite: 1].
Independent assessments send mixed signals[cite: 1]. Freedom House rates Albania "Partly Free," with a score of 69 out of 100 in 2026.2 Observers found the May 2025 parliamentary elections "competitive and professionally conducted."3 Yet Albania scored just 39 out of 100 on Transparency International's 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index.4 The V-Dem Institute's 2026 Democracy Report now classifies Albania as an electoral autocracy.5
Corruption remains the central obstacle[cite: 1]. Albania's Special Prosecution Against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK), built with U.S. and European support, has shown real independence[cite: 1]. The European Commission has credited its work, while noting that other institutions lag behind.6 Officials have also pressured SPAK and the High Justice Inspector, the body that oversees judges and prosecutors.7
SPAK's cases now reach the top of government[cite: 1]. It has charged Belinda Balluku, who served as Deputy Prime Minister, with interfering in public procurement for road construction[cite: 1]. In December 2025, prosecutors asked parliament to lift her immunity so she could be arrested[cite: 1]. Prime Minister Edi Rama called the request unconstitutional, and parliament has not allowed the arrest to proceed[cite: 1]. Rama denies all allegations of corruption against him.10 SPAK is also investigating the former head of Albania's State Intelligence Service, Vlora Hyseni, for allegedly misusing her access to information to help a criminal suspect.11
Public frustration has spilled into the streets[cite: 1]. The charges against Balluku helped spark mass protests in Tirana in January 2026, demanding Rama's resignation and early elections.12 By summer, protests against a luxury resort near a protected natural area had grown into a broader movement known as the "Flamingo Revolution."13
The crisis has also put pressure on the press[cite: 1]. Albania's media is shaped by concentrated ownership, opaque funding, and owners with political ties.14 On July 30, 2026, ten press freedom organizations warned of obstruction, threats, and attacks against journalists covering the protests[cite: 1]. They cited 15 threats and attacks in June and July alone, and questioned the use of water cannons and tear gas against demonstrators.15
Albania's anti-corruption institutions cannot succeed when political leaders shield the officials they investigate[cite: 2]. We therefore urge you to use the Department's authority under Section 7031(c) of the annual Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act[cite: 2]. Specifically, we ask the Department to publicly designate Albanian officials, and where appropriate their immediate family members, for whom it has credible information of involvement in significant corruption[cite: 2].
This review should include officials charged by SPAK and those who have used their positions to obstruct its investigations[cite: 2]. Applying this tool consistently, regardless of party, would advance the Department's counter-kleptocracy efforts[cite: 2]. It would also show that the United States stands with Albanians demanding accountability[cite: 2].
We also ask that you respond to the following questions by November 5:
- Will the Department commit to reviewing Albanian officials for designation under Section 7031(c), and on what timeline? Will it also consider Global Magnitsky sanctions where the evidence supports them?[cite: 2]
- What assistance is the Department providing to SPAK, the High Justice Inspector, and Albania's broader justice reform? How will it protect these bodies from political pressure?[cite: 2]
- Has the Department raised with the Albanian government parliament's failure to act on SPAK's request to arrest Ms. Balluku? What was the response?[cite: 2]
- How is the Embassy in Tirana engaging Albanian authorities on the policing of protests and the safety of journalists? Does the Department support independent investigations of the incidents documented this summer?[cite: 2]
We also request a briefing for our staff on these issues[cite: 2]. Thank you for your attention to this matter[cite: 2]. We look forward to working with you to support Albania's democratic institutions[cite: 2].
Sincerely,
Joe Wilson
Rep. Joe Wilson
Co-Chairman
U.S. Helsinki Commission
Keith Self
Rep. Keith Self
Chairman
Europe Subcommittee