Albania's Political Showdown: Soros-Backed Socialists Face Off Against Trump-Linked Conservatives

Albania’s upcoming parliamentary election is heating up to be more than just a regular political contest—it’s being painted as a proxy battle between the policies and influence of President Trump on one side, and George and Alex Soros on the other. That’s the dramatic take from Agim Nesho, Albania’s former ambassador to the U.S. and U.N., who argues that May’s vote has become a showdown between "Trump-ists" and "Soros-ists." According to Nesho, the country has slid toward one-party rule under the socialist government led by Prime Minister Edi Rama, with the democratic process more of a performance than a real contest.

Concerns over corruption have only grown louder as major opposition candidates face criminal charges and legal roadblocks. Critics accuse Rama’s government of using state power and judicial reforms—backed by international donors like Alex Soros and the Open Society Foundations (OSF)—to sideline the conservative opposition. Nesho even claims Albania is now a "narco-state," with fear and control being the tools of the ruling party.

Protests have erupted, with thousands taking to the streets against the socialists, while opposition leader Sali Berisha (formerly president and prime minister) is running his campaign with a little help from Chris LaCivita—President Trump’s former campaign manager. LaCivita has called Rama a "puppet of George Soros" and promised that Berisha would be a staunch ally to the U.S. if elected.

Berisha, who says his party was purged from the voting list in the last election, has faced a barrage of legal challenges. Parliament stripped his legal immunity, placed him under house arrest, and charged him with corruption—though Berisha insists the land at the heart of the case was always his son-in-law’s family property, confiscated by the old Communist regime. The drama is so thick, it’s almost like a political soap opera, except with real consequences for a country’s future.

He’s not alone: Ilir Meta, leader of the Centrist Freedom Party and also a former Albanian president, was arrested last year on corruption charges that his supporters claim are nothing but politically motivated attacks. The opposition has accused the Rama government of weaponizing the judicial system to crush dissent.

Fueling the controversy is the substantial investment of over $131 million by Soros’ OSF in Albania since the early ‘90s, which some say paved Rama’s path to power. OSF has also been involved in judicial reforms, which the opposition claims gave Rama even tighter control over the courts. The OSF, for its part, has highlighted its financial support for Albania’s efforts to join the European Union, including funding public outreach and expert panels—but it’s definitely not answering questions about the opposition’s accusations.

Adding a layer of social media flair, Alex Soros—who apparently loves Tirana so much he calls it his "second home"—has been snapped on Instagram with Prime Minister Rama, further stoking claims of deep personal and financial ties.

Berisha, meanwhile, has gone so far as to call for a ban on Soros’ political activities in Europe, labeling OSF a "real national threat." He blames the government’s economic mismanagement for the emigration of nearly half of Albania’s population, a jaw-dropping statistic that speaks volumes about the stakes of this election.

Another major obstacle for Berisha: U.S. sanctions. Back in 2021, then-Secretary of State Antony Blinken sanctioned Berisha and his family for alleged corruption, accusations Berisha says are rooted in Soros-backed lobbying and a hostile U.S. Embassy. He claims the sanctions have damaged his campaign, especially among the large Albanian-American community now eligible to vote from abroad.

The U.S. State Department and the Biden administration have declined to answer questions about their role or possible impact on Albania’s election. Nesho, the former ambassador, insists the sanctions are political, lacking evidence and stoking anti-American sentiment. He urges the U.S. and EU to step in to ensure the May 11 vote is genuinely free and fair—otherwise, he says, it risks being just another "fake show."

As of now, Prime Minister Rama, the OSF, and other key government sources have stayed silent, despite repeated inquiries about the mounting accusations. One thing’s for sure—Albania’s election is shaping up to be a spectacle of international intrigue, power plays, and high-stakes democracy.