Addressing his supporters in Kuçova, PM Rama claimed that no other political force can deliver on the national EU membership goal.

The government head underlined that Albania has earned international respect since Socialists took office in 2013.

“When I used to meet EU leaders when we embarked on this path, it was like they were about to tell me to cut short since they had a lot of other things to do. They didn’t trust Albania. They didn’t respect and consider Albania back then,” PM Rama stated, adding that the country has now gained broad international respect.

The Socialist leader highlighted the importance of May 11 elections, urging Albanian citizens to unite and back his ruling SP to give a strong impetus to the EU accession negotiations process.

Rama underlined that Albania should take advantage of the current situation and EU readiness to open its door for the country’s membership, warning that the EU door won’t remain always open.

Rama framed the next election as a vote for Europe or a step backward, stating that SP needs a fourth term in office to deliver on the historic mission of EU membership.

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According to Shehaj it is important for people to realize that only hard work and sacrifice would make them rich.

“Business growth would lead to economy growth, which translates into more opportunities for everyone. Don’t be fooled by those who promise money for everyone. The money they offer it is the taxpayers’ money, it is Albanians’ money and it doesn’t fall out of the sky,” Shehaj said.

Shehaj said his party supports true capitalism rather than the false one, adding that hard work and sacrifice make people lead better lives.

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Addressing a campaign meeting with women and girls in the northeastern region of Diber, PM Rama underlined that Brussels and the EU member states should see Albanian people united and overcoming political divisions and biases to build a majority for Albania in the EU.

“May 11 is not like every other election day, but it goes beyond Diber, beyond the road infrastructure, investments in education, health and social programs. Normally, political elections are for the people to decide who will govern better in the next four years, but, sometimes, elections are a historic moment,” PM Rama said, adding that elections in 1991 went down in history for changing the regime in the country.

According to him, the next month’s parliamentary elections are similar, as it is not merely about forming a government. Rama expressed confidence that the ruling SP will win more than 74 seats in the May 11 elections.

The government head recalled that the European Union has set a timeline for Albania to wrap up the accession negotiations by 2027, adding “this is the reason why SP should go on working in office without any hurdle.”

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Addressing the concluding campaign rally, PM Rama said that “the government’s interaction with Tirana Municipality and other municipalities across the country is not merely cooperation on public projects, but interaction at government level that have come together around same development vision.”

“They are governing forces that consciously interact to deliver on the same mission and move forward together, committed to achieving same goals and translate investments into well-being, growth of the household economy and employment,” Rama said.

The government head recalled the harsh criticism that his urban renaissance programme drew upon its launch, with many blasting it as a propaganda façade, but the figures speak for themselves about tourism development thanks to the programme.

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The meeting took place at the new residential complex built under the post-earthquake reconstruction programme launched by the Albanian government shortly after the devastating earthquake that hit the country in November 2019.

“We are holding this campaign meeting at this very site where a brand new residential neighbourhood has been built to house the families hit by the earthquake, offering them much better and decent housing conditions than the homes they used to live in previously, and new community life,” PM Rama said.

“This is what we have done and this is the way we have transformed the lives of thousands of people, who wouldn’t otherwise stand a chance to build their own homes as they cannot afford building one. However, by joining our forces and strength, they have been provided much better, stronger and more beautiful homes than the ones they used to live in and totally for free,” he added.

The government head noted that despite the earthquake, the COVID-19 pandemic and the price crisis, the Albanian economy has maintained solid growth trend and the government has in the meantime announced the highest pay rise ever for doctors, nurses, servicemen, fire-fighters, teachers and public administration employees.

“Despite all of these, we have succeeded in leading Albanian economy to growth rates, allowing us to decide about highest wage increase in history, with the average public sector salaries to increase to 900 euros until next April from 530 euros currently,” he added.

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“The pay rise bill was blocked by lawmakers in Parliament, demanding that their wages increase now too,” PM Rama explained as he addressed a campaign meeting in the north-eastern municipality of Kukes.

He said that the proposed legislation on the wage system reform will be approved by lawmakers in June, when employees will receive increased salaries for the months of April and May too.

“They claim that I, the Prime Minister Edi Rama, postponed the pay rise decision. The wages of teachers, doctors, nurses and others have been increased. However, the decision on the pay rise for other public administration employees should be adopted by parliament. The proposed bill has been forwarded to parliament and lawmakers and cabinet members will be the last ones to benefit increased salaries next year. Lawmakers want their salaries increased now. This is the reason why the bill has been blocked,” PM Rama said.

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“We are asking nothing but just support for SP candidate Festime Mjeshtri in May 14 elections as an opportunity for us to help you as much as needed,” PM Rama said in remarks at an election campaign meeting in Bulqize.

The government head noted that just a few years ago, the mining town was an isolated area, but with the Arbri Road constructed, it is just 40 minutes away from the Albanian capital.

He said that another section was opened to traffic earlier on the day and the last 300 meters of Murriz tunnel have yet to be opened for the entire road to complete.

PM Rama said he very much hoped and believed that the area could see a growing number of visitors in a very near future.

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At a meeting with women and girls in the area of Dropull, southern Albania, PM Rama noted that “the government has supported business and entrepreneurship in Dropull and elsewhere across the country is much stronger than previously.”

“The government has pursued low tax policies. Tens of thousands of new small and medium-sized businesses benefit under a zero-tax policy due to remain in place until 2029,” he said.

“The government has increased the bottom wage beyond our projections. We planned the monthly gross salary to increase to 40,000 lek by end of this term in office in 2025. The opposition pledges everything, yet they are unable to deliver on their promises as they stand no chance of ever taking office. We plan to increase minimum wage to 45,000 lek by end of this mandate and to 60,000 lek later,” he said.

He also noted that the wage system reform is well underway and the average monthly wage will grow to 900 euros from 530 euros currently.

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“The government will keep supporting this area in Gjirokaster district that is blessed by God. I remember first time I visited Libohova and I couldn’t believe my eyes when encountering the reality that resembled to a movie about the distant past. It was an abandoned area and none of what we see today existed,” PM Rama said in remarks at meeting with local businesses about the need to increase wages of employees both in the public and private sectors.

“The wonderful landscape, rich cultural heritage would sow the early seeds of agritourism in the area as a fresh opportunity to turn these nature beauties and cultural heritage monuments and many private homes into mechanism for household income,” he said.

The government head invited local residents currently living and working in Greece and elsewhere around the world to return back home and invest their savings in agritourism projects in their own family homes and land as a way to earn a lot more than what they currently earn working abroad.

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PM Rama presented the Socialist candidate, the incumbent mayor Gledian Llatja, while focusing on a series of projects that have transformed this municipality.

He singled out the construction of the auto park that will fuel economic development of Elbasan and entire central Albanian region.

“An extremely important construction project for our country and our Albania 2030 ambition to grow national economy and create a brand new platform of economic and employment opportunities by opening here in Albania a unique space that would clear the path to major international events of car races and major musical events,” PM Rama said.

The government head pledged that Albania will host the Formula 1 Grand Prix races by 2030.

“It is not about an international race that attracts one billion viewers or that brings more than 100,000 people to the country, but it is about a completely new industry, a genuine industry of car races and sports,” he said.

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