Albania’s May 11 elections pit Trump-aligned conservatives against Soros-backed liberals. What happens in Tirana may ripple across Europe—and into Washington.

Albania’s forthcoming parliamentary elections, scheduled for May 11, 2025, have transformed into a battleground reflecting a global ideological clash between U.S. President Donald Trump’s conservative policies and liberal initiatives associated with philanthropists George and Alex Soros.

Agim Nesho, Albania’s former ambassador to the United States, described the upcoming vote as a confrontation between “Trumpists and Sorosists.” Nesho told Fox News Digital, “Albania is practically a one-party state pretending to hold elections. The elections in May represent a clash between Trump supporters and Soros-backed factions fighting to retain their control over corruption and the state apparatus.” (Fox News Digital, 2024)

The ruling Socialist Party, led by Prime Minister Edi Rama, has been accused of entrenched corruption and authoritarian tendencies. Rama’s critics highlight his longstanding ties to Alex Soros, who reportedly regards Tirana as his “second home.” Soros’s Open Society Foundations (OSF) have invested over $131 million in Albania between 1992 and 2020, significantly influencing judicial reforms and bolstering Rama’s political ascendancy (European Center for Law and Justice, 2023).

Opposition leader Sali Berisha of the conservative Democratic Party has openly accused the Rama administration and OSF of undermining democracy. Berisha, supported by former Trump campaign manager Chris LaCivita, labeled Rama “a puppet of George Soros” and vowed to ban OSF activities if elected (Politico, 2024).
Berisha, facing corruption charges and U.S. sanctions imposed by former Secretary of State Antony Blinken in 2021, argues these actions were politically motivated. “The sanctions are entirely based on corrupt lobbying by George Soros and Edi Rama,” Berisha stated, adding that these sanctions have hindered his political activities, particularly with Albanian diaspora voters in the U.S. (Fox News Digital, 2024).

Former Albanian President Ilir Meta, head of the centrist Freedom Party and another vocal Rama critic, was also arrested in October 2024 under corruption allegations, described by critics as “politicization of justice.” Meta has frequently highlighted growing corruption and authoritarianism in Rama’s government (Fox News Digital, 2024).
The OSF-funded judicial reform, supported by a $60 million USAID investment between 2000 and 2015, has been controversial. Critics allege it was manipulated to give Rama control over Albania’s judiciary, while OSF asserts their contributions aimed at enhancing transparency and preparing Albania for EU accession (OSF Official Website, 2024).

Agim Nesho urged Trump administration officials to reconsider sanctions on Berisha, arguing, “These sanctions are perceived as political moves, driven by Rama’s wealthy allies like Alex Soros. They are fueling anti-American sentiment and contradicting democratic values” (Fox News Digital, 2024).
With Albania’s political turmoil increasingly attracting international attention, the May elections will significantly influence the country’s democratic trajectory, setting the stage for broader geopolitical implications involving major global figures like Trump and Soros.

References:
Fox News Digital (2024). Interviews with Agim Nesho, Sali Berisha, Alfred Lela, and statements by former U.S. officials.
Politico (2024). “Chris LaCivita Joins Albanian Opposition Campaign.”
European Center for Law and Justice (2023). “Influence of OSF in Albanian Politics.”
Open Society Foundations Official Website (2024). “Funding Transparency in Albanian Judicial Reform.”

Quotes:
Agim Nesho, Former Albanian Ambassador (Fox News Digital, 2024)
Sali Berisha, Leader of the Democratic Party (Fox News Digital, 2024)
Chris LaCivita, Trump’s former campaign manager (Politico, 2024)