IDU Resolution, Këlliçi from Washington: Rama’s narco-state receives another blow from the heart of the western world

Democratic Party MP Belind Këlliçi, present at the proceedings of the Executive Committee of the International Democrat Union (IDU) in Washington, has reacted after the unanimous adoption of a resolution condemning Edi Rama’s narco-state and expressing support for the Albanian opposition.

Këlliçi writes that the narco-state led by Edi Rama has received yet another blow, this time directly from the heart of the Western world, from Washington, DC.

Statement by DP MP Belind Këlliçi:

“The narco-state led by Edi Rama receives another blow, this time directly from the heart of the Western world, from Washington, DC.”

At the annual forum of IDU (International Democracy Union), the Global Alliance of Center-Right parties—which includes the U.S. Republican Party, the British Conservatives, Germany’s Christian Democrats (CDU), and others—the Democratic Party of Albania and the Republican Party presented a resolution on Albania, which was unanimously adopted by all political forces represented in the Executive Committee of this global organization.

During discussions on the resolution, serious concerns were raised about the state of democracy, the decline of the rule of law, the rise of a narco-economy, and the lack of security in Albania.

The adopted resolution highlights the following key issues:

1. Democratic Backsliding:
   IDU notes systemic violations during elections, including vote buying, intimidation, and misuse of state resources. Over 4,500 state-sponsored activities were used for campaigning, for which no one has been held accountable.

2. Fusion of State, Party, and Crime:
   The resolution warns that criminal networks have influenced candidate lists and political processes in Elbasan, Durrës, and Vorë, undermining democratic integrity.

3. Political Capture of the Justice System:
   IDU expresses deep concern over blocked investigations, ignored Constitutional Court rulings, and the growing control of the executive over the prosecution, judiciary, media, and regulatory institutions.

4. Selective Prosecution of the Opposition:
   The resolution condemns politically motivated prosecutions against several opposition figures, including the Chairman of the Democratic Party, Sali Berisha; the Chairman of the Republican Party, Fatmir Mediu; and the Chairman of the Freedom Party, Ilir Meta.

5. Albania as a Narco-State Threat:
   IDU stresses that Albania remains a regional hub for drug trafficking and money laundering, posing a threat to European security and the credibility of the EU enlargement process.

6. Calls to the EU, the U.S., and the Council of Europe:
   The resolution requests strict merit-based conditions for Albania’s EU path and proposes creating an independent international mechanism to monitor elections, the justice system, and the media.

7. Targeted Sanctions:
   IDU calls for targeted sanctions against officials linked to corruption, organized crime, and political persecution in Albania.

8. Risk of a Narco-Authoritarian Regime:
   The resolution warns that Albania risks sinking into a narco-authoritarian regime if immediate reforms are not undertaken.

9. Support for Albanian Democrats and Opposition Figures:
   IDU urges its members to remain vigilant and support those fighting for freedom, pluralism, and European values in Albania.

Together with the team representing this forum—Albana Vokshi and Nikola Kedhi from the DP, as well as colleagues from the Republican Party, Fatmir Mediu, Sention Zotaj, and Arben Braçe—we had the opportunity to raise these fundamental issues with all our friends in the United States and with various officials and representatives from Europe and around the world.

IDU – The Global Alliance of the Centre Right

Resolution on Albania

Endorsed by the Democratic Party and Republican Party of Albania

December 5th, Washington DC

Having regard to the OSCE/ODIHR Final Report of May 11, 2025, the Albanian parliamentary elections; the World Justice Project Rule of Law Index 2025 and the U.S. Department of State Business Climate Report and recalling the Copenhagen Criteria, the OSCE Copenhagen Document (1990), and Venice Commission standards and prior IDU, CDI, and EPP resolutions on Albania;

The International Democracy Union:

Electoral Backsliding and State-Party-Crime Fusion

 1. Expresses deep concern that the OSCE/ODIHR Report confirms systemic violations including intimidation, vote-buying, and the misuse of state resources and the use of corruption and criminal networks to influence Socialist candidate lists, notably in Elbasan, Durrës, and Vora.

 2. Notes that over 4,500 state events were exploited for campaigning with minimal sanctions, showing institutional bias and impunity and condemns the use of public funds and criminal patronage to manipulate votes and the diaspora electorate.

 3. Warns that persistent refusal to implement ODIHR recommendations has entrenched electoral coercion and eroded trust in democracy.

Weaponization of Justice and Collapse of Oversight

 4. Notes grave concern over blocked inquiries, ignored motions, and disregard for Constitutional Court rulings and highlights executive control over the prosecution, judiciary, media, and regulatory bodies.

Condemns politically motivated cases against opposition leaders including Sali Berisha, Fatmir Mediu, Ilir Meta, and others, warning of selective justice and imminent political verdicts;

Albania as a Narco-State and Security Threat

 6. Expresses alarm that Albania remains a regional hub for drug trafficking and money laundering, with criminal infiltration of public contracts, construction, and tourism and warns that the narco-economy threatens regional stability, European security and the credibility of EU enlargement;

Calls and Recommendations

 7. Calls on the EU, U.S., and Council of Europe to apply strict merit-based conditionality to Albania’s EU path and urges creation of an independent international mechanism to monitor elections, justice, and media;

 8. Requests targeted sanctions against officials and entities linked to corruption, organized crime, and political persecution and supports reforms to dismantle criminal networks, ensure judicial independence, restore parliamentary oversight, and protect media freedom;

Conclusions

 9. Reaffirms that the fusion of political power, justice, and organized crime poses a grave threat to European democracy and security;

 10. Warns that Albania risks a permanent narco-authoritarian regime;

 11. Calls on IDU members to remain vigilant and support Albanian democrats in defending freedom, pluralism, and European values.