Albanian Government Ministers in the Election Campaign: From Offices to the Field for the Spring Elections

 The election campaign for the spring elections is in full swing, and government ministers are actively involved in seeking votes for the Socialist Party. In the afternoons, they can be found in the field, promoting the party’s program and garnering support in every administrative unit. The only exception is Majlinda Dhuka, the Minister of State and Chief Negotiator, who remains outside the election campaign efforts, while all other ministers are fully engaged.

 

One of the areas with the highest concentration of ministers actively campaigning is the Tirana district. The latest addition to this campaign team is Ervin Hoxha, the Minister of the Interior. Under the political leadership of the Minister of Education, Ogerta Manastirliu, these ministers will be responsible for either the success or failure of the Socialist Party in five administrative units of Tirana. Key figures in this mission include Ervin Hoxha, Adea Pirdeni, Blendi Gonxhja, Albana Koçiu, Delina Ibrahimaj, and Igli Hasani.

Furthermore, two ministers have been assigned to the districts of Vlora, Fier, and Elbasan. Vlora has been strengthened with Pirro Vëngu, while Anila Denaj remains there. After taking political leadership in Fier, Belinda Balluku also brought in Petrit Malaj, the Minister of Finance, into her team. In Elbasan, under the political direction of Arbjan Mazniku, Bora Muzhaqi, the Minister for Youth and Children, has joined the campaign effort.

The only ministers with official duties outside of the campaign are Ulsi Manja, the Minister of Justice, in Lezha and Mirela Kumbaro, the Minister of Tourism and Environment, in Gjirokastër.

The largest district, that of the diaspora, is led by Taulant Balla, the Minister of State for Relations with Parliament.

This early engagement of ministers in the campaign is expected to significantly impact the list of candidates for the Tirana district in the 2021 parliamentary elections.

After nearly four years, and due to responsibilities in other districts, the ministers leaving the scene include Belinda Balluku, Ulsi Manja, and Eduard Shalsi.

If we take Edi Rama’s statement into account, where he mentioned that the secure list will be filled with young candidates or those with previous mandates, the frontrunners for safe spots appear to be Ervin Hoxha, Adea Pirdeni, Igli Hasani, and Blendi Gonxhja.

All others are potential candidates who might end up outside the safe zone, with the exception of Luljeta Bozo, who will likely conclude her modest political contribution on May 11. The only member of the government cabinet without a designated electoral zone is the Prime Minister himself, Edi Rama, who remains responsible for either the success or failure of the campaign.