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==Personal life== ==Personal life==
Edi Rama ancestry traces back to the southeastern village of ], near ].<ref>Balkan Insight. "Rich Albanians Breathe New Life into Forgotten Village”. 4 September 2014. http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/rich-albanians-breathe-new-life-into-forgotten-village</ref> Rama himself claims he has been baptized as Catholic. His claims are unverified. All ] was strictly forbidden in Albania at the time Rama was born.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dielli.al/lajme.php?id=77880&k=71|title=Rama:Jam Katolik i pagëzuar (Rama:I am baptized Catholic)|date=5.9.2014|website=Dielli.al|language=Albanian|format=Virtual|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150624135621/http://dielli.al/lajme.php?id=77880&k=71|archivedate=24 June 2015|deadurl=yes|quote=“Për hir të së vërtetës unë nuk jam ortodoks, unë jam katolik nëse i referohesh pagëzimit”. (En: For the sake of truth I'm not Orthodox, I'm Catholic referring to baptism)|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Regarding his religious beliefs, Rama has declared himself an ] stating that “I do not practice any faith other than to the self and other people, but I don’t believe that the existence or non-existence of God is a matter that can ever be resolved by mortals.” <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/notes/edi-rama/shqip%C3%ABria-vend-i-mir%C3%AB-p%C3%ABr-zotin-e-t%C3%AB-gjith%C3%ABve-dhe-t%C3%AB-gjitha-fet%C3%AB/10152564924408582|title=Edi Rama: "Unë nuk praktikoj besim tjetër, përveç atij tek vetja dhe tek njerëzit, por nuk besoj se sidoqoftë eksiztenca ose jo e Zotit është një çështje që mund të zgjidhet ndonjëherë nga të vdekshmit.|date=8 July 2014|publisher=Facebook|language=Albanian}}</ref> Edi Rama ancestry traces back to the southeastern village of ], near ].<ref>Balkan Insight. "Rich Albanians Breathe New Life into Forgotten Village”. 4 September 2014. http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/rich-albanians-breathe-new-life-into-forgotten-village</ref> Rama himself claims he has been baptized as Catholic. His claims are unverified. All ] was strictly forbidden in Albania at the time Rama was born.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dielli.al/lajme.php?id=77880&k=71|title=Rama:Jam Katolik i pagëzuar (Rama:I am baptized Catholic)|date=5.9.2014|website=Dielli.al|language=Albanian|format=Virtual|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150624135621/http://dielli.al/lajme.php?id=77880&k=71|archivedate=24 June 2015|deadurl=yes|quote=“Për hir të së vërtetës unë nuk jam ortodoks, unë jam katolik nëse i referohesh pagëzimit”. (En: For the sake of truth I'm not Orthodox, I'm Catholic referring to baptism)|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Regarding his religious beliefs, Rama has declared himself an ] stating that “I do not practice any faith other than to the self and other people, but I don’t believe that the existence or non-existence of God is a matter that can ever be resolved by mortals.” <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/notes/edi-rama/shqip%C3%ABria-vend-i-mir%C3%AB-p%C3%ABr-zotin-e-t%C3%AB-gjith%C3%ABve-dhe-t%C3%AB-gjitha-fet%C3%AB/10152564924408582|title=Edi Rama: "Unë nuk praktikoj besim tjetër, përveç atij tek vetja dhe tek njerëzit, por nuk besoj se sidoqoftë eksiztenca ose jo e Zotit është një çështje që mund të zgjidhet ndonjëherë nga të vdekshmit.|date=8 July 2014|publisher=Facebook|language=Albanian}}</ref> This claim is widely regarded as dog-whistle for his communist-nostalgic base.


Edi Rama married actress Matilda Makoçi. The couple divorced in 1991. Rama has a son, Gregor, from his first marriage. Edi Rama married actress Matilda Makoçi. The couple divorced in 1991. Rama has a son, Gregor, from his first marriage.
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==Awards== ==Awards==
In October 2002, Rama was given an award by ] in light of the ].<ref>http://www.oecd.org/speaker/0,3438,en_21571361_31938349_38759801_1_1_1_1,00.html</ref> In October 2002, Rama was given an award by ] in light of the ].<ref>http://www.oecd.org/speaker/0,3438,en_21571361_31938349_38759801_1_1_1_1,00.html</ref>

While mayor of Tirana, in 2003, Rama was a "visiting professor" as Robert C. Wood Visiting Professorship of Public and Urban Affairs at the ] (basically a speaking and greeting format).<ref>University of Massachusetts Boston, "University Reporter - Vol. 07, No. 07.1 - March 2003" (2003). 1996-2009, University Reporter. Paper 125. http://scholarworks.umb.edu/university_reporter/125</ref>


In December 2004, Rama was named the ] 2004, in an international competition that took place over one year, based on direct voting by Internet, organized by the non-commercial organization CITYMAYORS, located in London.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.citymayors.com/mayor2004/edirama_2004.html|title=City Mayors: Edi Rama - World Mayor 2004|publisher=|accessdate=14 May 2015}}</ref> In December 2004, Rama was named the ] 2004, in an international competition that took place over one year, based on direct voting by Internet, organized by the non-commercial organization CITYMAYORS, located in London.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.citymayors.com/mayor2004/edirama_2004.html|title=City Mayors: Edi Rama - World Mayor 2004|publisher=|accessdate=14 May 2015}}</ref>
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==Publications== ==Publications==
* Rama, Edi; ] (1991). ''Refleksione''. * Rama, Edi; ] (1991). ''Refleksione''
* Rama, Edi (2009). ''Edi Rama''. Paintings * Rama, Edi (2009). ''Edi Rama''. Paintings
* Rama, Edi (2011). ''Kurban''. Tirana: ]. * Rama, Edi (2011). ''Kurban''. Tirana: ]
*
*


==See also== ==See also==

Revision as of 14:18, 4 April 2018

Edi Rama
File:EdiRama.jpg
42nd Prime Minister of Albania
Incumbent
Assumed office
13 September 2013
PresidentBujar Nishani
Ilir Meta
DeputyNiko Peleshi
Ledina Mandia
Senida Mesi
Preceded bySali Berisha
Leader of the Socialist Party
Incumbent
Assumed office
10 October 2005
Preceded byFatos Nano
40th Mayor of Tirana
In office
11 October 2000 – 25 July 2011
Preceded byAlbert Brojka
Succeeded byLulzim Basha
Personal details
Born (1964-07-04) 4 July 1964 (age 60)
Tirana, Albania
Political partySocialist Party
Spouse(s)Matilda Makoçi (1986–1991)
Linda Rama (2010–present)
ChildrenGregor
Zaho
Alma materUniversity of Arts
Signature
WebsiteOfficial website

Edi Rama (formerly: Edvin; born 4 July 1964) is an Albanian politician, artist, writer and former basketball player, who has been the Prime Minister of Albania since 2013. Rama has also been Chairman of the Socialist Party of Albania since 2005. Before his election as Prime Minister, Rama held a number of other positions. He was appointed Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports in 1998, a position that he held until 2000. He was first elected Mayor of Tirana in 2000, and was reelected in 2003 and 2007. In 2013, the coalition of center-left parties led by Edi Rama won the 2013 parliamentary election, defeating the center-right coalition of Democratic Party of Albania's incumbent Prime Minister, Sali Berisha.

Early life and Career

Edi Rama was born on 4 July 1964 in Tirana, Albania to Kristaq Rama, a well-known sculptor born in Durres, creator of numerous statues of Albania's communist dictator Enver Hoxha, and Aneta Rama (née Koleka), a graduate of medicine from Vuno, Vlorë, sister of Spiro Koleka a member of the Politburo during Communist Albania.

Rama started painting early in his childhood. During his teenager years, his talent was noticed by influential Albanian painters of the time, Edi Hila and Danish Jukniu. They encouraged Rama to further develop his painting skills in a professional context. As a teenager, Rama was involved in sports as a professional basketball player for Dinamo Tirana. He was also part of the Albania national basketball team. However, in 1982, he decided to enroll to the Academy of Arts in Tirana.

After graduating, Rama started working as an instructor at the Academy of Arts. During this time, he organized several open student meetings, during which the communist government was publicly criticized. Essays from those meetings were collected in the book Refleksione, which Rama published together with publicist Ardian Klosi in 1992.

Shortly before the fall of communism in Albania, Rama attempted several times to get involved with the incipient fight for democracy. He tried to influence student protests and become part of the newly created Democratic Party of Albania, but soon left after a quarrel over ideological matters with Sali Berisha.

In 1994, Rama emigrated to France, and tried to make a career as a painter. He and his former student, Anri Sala, exhibited their works in several art galleries.

This article is part of
a series aboutEdi Rama
  • Offices

Minister of Culture (1998–2000)
Mayor of Tirana (2000–2011)
Opposition leader (2011–2013)
Minister of Foreign Affairs (2019–2020)


  • Premiership
    Incumbent

Political career

During one of his trips back to Albania in January 1997, Rama suffered a physical assault. While perpetrators were never found, there were concerns over the involvement of the State Secret Service given Rama's outspoken criticism towards the Albanian government.

In 1998, while in Albania for the funeral of his father, Rama was offered a cabinet position by the then-Prime Minister of Albania Fatos Nano . Later that year he was appointed Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports.

As a Minister, Rama immediately became known for his extravagance in a variety of ways, including his unique colorful dressing style. His innovative cultural projects, coupled with his strange clothing and rebellious political style, helped him reach a great level of support especially among young people.

Mayor of Tirana (2000-11)

See also: Mayor of Tirana
Colorful buildings in Tirana.

In October 2000, the Socialist Party of Albania endorsed Edi Rama in the election for Mayor of Tirana. The Democratic Party nominee was Besnik Mustafaj an Albanian writer and diplomat. Rama won 57% of the vote and was sworn-in as mayor. After taking office, he undertook a radical campaign of bulldozing hundreds of illegal constructions and restoring many areas near Tirana's center and Lana River into their initial form.

Rama earned international recognition by repainting the facades of many soviet-style, demolishing buildings in the city. The repainting gave the city a unique style, turning it into a tourist attraction. Rama was awarded World Best Mayor in 2004. The award committee, motivated their decision stating that “Edi Rama is the man who changed a whole city. Now there is a new Tirana, colored, happy, with a new and improved infrastructure and cultural life”.

As mayor he compiled the Tirana City Master Plan including the Skanderbeg Square project. He planted thousands of new trees, making Tirana a much more environment-friendly city. Rama also expanded the existing roads and paved new ones, improving mobility. According to a UNDP report Rama played a critical role in the modernization of the local government, empowering municipalities and giving them, for the first time real power to impact the life of their communities.

Rama was reelected as Mayor of Tirana by defeating Democratic Party of Albania candidates Spartak Ngjela, a former attorney, in 2003 and Sokol Olldashi in 2007.

In 2011, Rama decided to run for a fourth term in office. His opponent, Lulzim Basha was a member of Prime Minister Berisha's cabinet. Rama's reelection bid failed after a court ruling decided hundreds of ballots mistakenly cast in the wrong ballot boxes were valid. The initial count saw Rama ahead by 10 votes. With all ballots counted Lulzim Basha won the race by 81 votes. Edi Rama appealed the court's decision at the Electoral College and demanded the reinstatement of the initial tally. Rama's appeals were rejected and Lulzim Basha was sworn in as the new Mayor of Tirana. Rama and the Socialist Party criticized the judges involved in the court ruling, severely eroding public's trust in Albanian institutions.

Leader of the opposition (2005-13)

Having previously run as an independent in 2000, Edi Rama only registered as a Socialist in 2003. Later that year he announced a bid for the chairmanship of the Party. He and a Rexhep Meidani, a former President ran against the incumbent, Fatos Nano. Rama's bid failed to gain sufficient support from the Assembly delegates. He received 41 votes, Rexhep Meidani received 61, while Fatos Nano was reelected with 456 votes.

After the center-left coalition lost in the 2005 parliamentary election, Fatos Nano resigned as Chairman of the Socialist Party. In the subsequent election for the chairmanship of the Party, Edi Rama defeated Rexhep Meidani 297 to 151 and became the Chairman of the Socialist Party. Capitalizing on Rama’s popularity as a mayor, the Socialist Party of Albania regained some of its appeal. Rama replaced many of Party's influential leaders with younger loyalists. In his earlier attempts to regain control in the Parliament, he tried to frame himself as a political outsider. Inspired by the progressive policies of Tony Blair’s “New Labour” and Anthony Giddens “Third Way”, his political platform called for a “third direction beyond the traditional right and left”.

As the minority leader, Rama threw his support behind a set of constitutional amendments introduced in the Parliament during summer 2008. These amendments changed Albania's election law from a majoritarian representation with a proportional adjustment into a party-list proportional representation as well as curtailed Presidential powers. Despite criticism and protests from President Bamir Topi and MPs from the Socialist Movement for Integration and other smaller political parties, the amendments were passed in the Parliament with a super-majority. Almost all constitutional experts believe they have greatly weakened institutions and democracy in Albania.

Rama's reelection as Mayor in 2007 was greatly helped by the Socialist Movement for Integration's endorsement of his candidacy. Seeing the 2008 constitutional amendments voted by Rama's SPA as a serious threat to their existence in Albanian politics, Ilir Meta and the SMI did not join Rama in a pre-electoral coalition for the 2009 parliamentary election. The Socialist Party led by Edi Rama were only able to win 66 seats in the Parliament. Incumbent Prime Minister Berisha's Democratic Party won 70 seats, while the remaining 4 seats went to Ilir Meta's Socialist Movement for Integration. Demands by Edi Rama and the Socialists for a recount in the district of Fier were rejected by courts and were finally dealt a major blow when all four newly-elected SMI MPs aligned themselves with Prime Minister Berisha's Democrats. While it was clear that a recount would not flip the 74 MP majority commanded by this new alliance, Edi Rama continued to criticize the court's decision for many months and questioned its impartiality. His criticism has greatly eroded public's trust in Albanian institutions.

Rama never resigned as Chairman of the Socialist Party, despite failing to win the 2009 parliamentary election. Instead he escalated the political discourse and rallied his supporters as a means to divert attention from his failed bid. The Socialists boycotted all parliamentary debates for months and staged a hunger strike to gather domestic and foreign support. All attempts by EU officials to reset dialogue failed. Rama's radical approach after losing the 2009 election is seen by many as the main reason for Albania's failed bid at gaining official candidate status in accession talks with the EU.

In January 2011, a recorded videotape showed Deputy Prime Minister Ilir Meta negotiating informal pay-to-play fees with Dritan Prifti, Minister for the Economy, Commerce and Energy. On 21 January 2011, clashes broke out between police and protesters in an anti-government rally in front of the Government building in Tirana. Four people were shot dead from government special forces. The EU issued a statement to Albanian politicians, warning both sides to refrain from violence.

Prime Minister of Albania (2013-ongoing)

In 2013, the Socialist Party of Edi Rama led the coalition of left parties which won a landslide victory in the parliamentary election against the conservative coalition of PM Sali Berisha. His platform, nicknamed "Renaissance" was based on four pillars: European integration, economic revitalization, restoration of the public order and democratization of the state institutions. Since September 2013, Rama has been serving as the Prime Minister of Albania.

Policies as Prime Minister

See also: Prime Minister of Albania, Rama Cabinet I, and Rama Cabinet II
Austrian Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz meet Edi Rama in Tirana, Albania. (17 June 2014)

During the electoral campaign, Rama stated that the return of public order was his number one priority. In 2013-n, Albanian Police was able to cover actively only 55% of the territory ;. The new government invested heavily in modernizing, training, and improving financial benefits of the police force.

Since 15 September 2013, Rama is serving as the 33rd Prime Minister of Albania. During the electoral campaign, Rama stated that the return of public order was his number one priority. In 2013, the Albanian Police was able to cover actively only 55% of the territory. The Government invested heavily in modernizing, training, and improving financial benefits of the police force. The police earned international acclaim when in 2014 undertook a highly successful operation on Lazarat, a remote village in the south of the country, known for the production of narcotics.

Rama has been committed to restructure the judicial system in Albania, which was one of the most corrupted and ineffective judicial systems in Europe at that time. In 2016, the Parliament approved the “vetting law”. Based on this law, any judge or prosecutor which cannot explain his source of wealth or former dubious verdicts will be disqualified for life. In November 2016, the European Union stated that a successful implementation of vetting law remains the sole criteria to fulfill before opening accession talks.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Edi Rama in Newport, United Kingdom. (5 September 2014)

Another key reform, was the reform in the energy sector, left in the brink of bankruptcy from a previous failed privatization effort. His government successfully enforced the payment of billions of unpaid bills and heavily invested in the modernization of the obsolete power distribution network. Economic policies have also been successful. The economic growth, from 0,5% in 2013, accelerated to 3,5% in 2016 and is expected to exceed 4% during 2017. Unemployment has been reduced steadily, thanks to 183.000 new jobs created in the last three years. Furthermore, with 14.7% (2016) Albania has the 4th lowest unemployment rate in the Balkans.

Other important reforms include the administrative reform, the social welfare and pension system reform, and the reform in higher education. Internationally, Rama is pursuing a historical reconciliation policy between Albanians and Serbs and his visit in Belgrade, in 2014 was the first visit of an Albanian Prime Minister in Serbia in over 70 years. In a second visit, during the Economic Forum of Nis, Rama compared the Albanian and Serbian reconciliation process with the historical reconciliation between the French and Germans after the second World War. Rama is also a key supporter of the Berlin Process, an intergovernmental platform of cooperation between the European Union and Western Balkans countries.

The Socialist Party led by Rama participated at the 2017 parliamentary elections on 25 June 2017. One day after, partial results suggested that the Socialist Party had won a majority.

Cabinet

1st Cabinet

Further information: 1st Rama Cabinet

The 1st Cabinet of Rama was sworn in by President Bujar Nishani on 15 September 2013, becoming the 8th Cabinet of the Albanian Republic, since the collapse of communism in Albania. The Cabinet is composed of 21 members, with fifteen coming from the Socialist Party, four from the Socialist Movement for Integration and one from the Democratic Party. The Cabinet is also the first in which the number of female ministers is equal to the number of male ministers, excluding the Prime Minister.

Edi Rama with the Greek Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, Evangelos Venizelos in Tirana. (14 Oktober 2013)
Cabinet Name Party Term
Prime Minister Edi Rama bgcolor="Template:Socialist Party of Albania/meta/color" | Socialist Party (2013–)
Deputy Prime Minister Niko Peleshi bgcolor="Template:Socialist Party of Albania/meta/color" | Socialist Party (2013–2017)
Minister of Defence Mimi Kodheli bgcolor="Template:Socialist Party of Albania/meta/color" | Socialist Party (2013–2017)
Minister of the Interior Saimir Tahiri bgcolor="Template:Socialist Party of Albania/meta/color" | Socialist Party (2013–2017)
Minister of Foreign Affairs Ditmir Bushati bgcolor="Template:Socialist Party of Albania/meta/color" | Socialist Party (2013–)
Minister of Justice Gazmend Bardhi bgcolor="Template:Socialist Party of Albania/meta/color" | Socialist Party (2013–2017)
Minister of European Integration Klajda Gjosha bgcolor="Template:Socialist Movement for Integration/meta/color" | Socialist Movement for Integration (2013–2017)
Minister of Economic Development Milva Ekonomi bgcolor="Template:Socialist Party of Albania/meta/color" | Socialist Party (2013–2017)
Minister of Energy and Industry Damian Gjiknuri bgcolor="Template:Socialist Party of Albania/meta/color" | Socialist Party (2013–)
Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Sokol Dervishaj bgcolor="Template:Socialist Movement for Integration/meta/color" | Socialist Movement for Integration (2013–2017)
Minister of Urban Development Eglantina Gjermeni bgcolor="Template:Socialist Party of Albania/meta/color" | Socialist Party (2013–2017)
Minister of Agriculture Edmond Panariti bgcolor="Template:Socialist Movement for Integration/meta/color" | Socialist Movement for Integration (2013–2017)
Minister of Health Arben Beqiri bgcolor="Template:Socialist Party of Albania/meta/color" | Socialist Party (2013–2017)
Minister of Education Lindita Nikolla bgcolor="Template:Socialist Party of Albania/meta/color" | Socialist Party (2013–2017)
Minister of Social Welfare and Youth Blendi Klosi bgcolor="Template:Socialist Party of Albania/meta/color" | Socialist Party (2015–2017)
Minister of Culture Mirela Kumbaro bgcolor="Template:Socialist Party of Albania/meta/color" | Socialist Party (2013–)
Minister of Environment Lefter Koka bgcolor="Template:Socialist Movement for Integration/meta/color" | Socialist Movement for Integration (2013–2017)
Minister of Innovation and Public Administration Milena Harito bgcolor="Template:Socialist Party of Albania/meta/color" | Socialist Party (2013–2017)
Minister of Relations with Parliament Ermonela Felaj bgcolor="Template:Socialist Party of Albania/meta/color" | Socialist Party (2013–2017)
Minister of Local Governance Eduard Shalsi bgcolor="Template:Socialist Party of Albania/meta/color" | Socialist Party (2013–2017)

2nd Cabinet

Further information: 2nd Rama Cabinet

The 2nd Cabinet of Rama will be sworn in by President Ilir Meta in September 2017, becoming the 9th Cabinet of the Albanian Republic, since the collapse of communism in Albania. The Cabinet is composed of 15 members, coming all from the Socialist Party. The Cabinet is also the second in which the number of female ministers is equal to the number of male ministers, excluding the Prime Minister.

Cabinet Name Party Term
Prime Minister Edi Rama bgcolor="Template:Socialist Party of Albania/meta/color" | Socialist Party (2013–)
Deputy Prime Minister Senida Mesi bgcolor="Template:Socialist Party of Albania/meta/color" | Socialist Party (2017-)
Minister of Defence Olta Xhaçka bgcolor="Template:Socialist Party of Albania/meta/color" | Socialist Party (2017-)
Minister of the Interior Fatmir Xhafaj bgcolor="Template:Socialist Party of Albania/meta/color" | Socialist Party (2017-)
Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ditmir Bushati bgcolor="Template:Socialist Party of Albania/meta/color" | Socialist Party (2013–)
Minister of Justice Etilda Gjoni bgcolor="Template:Socialist Party of Albania/meta/color" | Socialist Party (2017-)
Minister of Culture Mirela Kumbaro bgcolor="Template:Socialist Party of Albania/meta/color" | Socialist Party (2013–)
Minister of Finance and Economy Arben Ahmetaj bgcolor="Template:Socialist Party of Albania/meta/color" | Socialist Party (2017–)
Minister of Education, Sports and Youth Lindita Nikolla bgcolor="Template:Socialist Party of Albania/meta/color" | Socialist Party (2017-)
Minister of Health and Social Care Ogerta Manastirliu bgcolor="Template:Socialist Party of Albania/meta/color" | Socialist Party (2017-)
Minister of Infrastructure and Energy Damian Gjiknuri bgcolor="Template:Socialist Party of Albania/meta/color" | Socialist Party (2017–)
Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Niko Peleshi bgcolor="Template:Socialist Party of Albania/meta/color" | Socialist Party (2017–)
Minister of Tourism and Environment Blendi Klosi bgcolor="Template:Socialist Party of Albania/meta/color" | Socialist Party (2017–)
Minister of State for Albanians outside the borders Pandeli Majko bgcolor="Template:Socialist Party of Albania/meta/color" | Socialist Party (2017–)
Minister of State for Entrepreneurs Sonila Qato bgcolor="Template:Socialist Party of Albania/meta/color" | Socialist Party (2017–)

Foreign policy

Further information: List of official trips made by Edi Rama

Rama has had an intensive agenda of high level meetings. Since 2013, Rama has frequently met with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, American President Barack Obama, French President Francois Hollande, British Prime Minister David Cameron, Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang, Austrian Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz, Pope Francis and many others.

In several occasions, Rama has stated that the European Union needs to accelerate the integration process of the Western Balkans, considering it the only way to subdue the dangerous fractions in the region, preventing a possible eruption of violence, like the one that hammered the region in the nineties. Rama has also denounced as destabilizing the rising Russian influence in the region.

Artist and Writer

File:Edi Rama and Michael Schultz, Berlin 2015.jpg
Edi Rama and Gallerist Michael Schultz in Berlin. Rama presented his own exhibition Les Fleurs du Calendrier. (25 April 2015)

Rama is an active painter and has had several personal painting exhibitions.

Personal exhibitions include such as Janos Gallery in New York City (1993); Place de Médiathèque in France (1995); Palais Jalta in Frankfurt (1997); Acud in Berlin (1993); São Paulo in Brazil (1994); Israel (1995); National Art Gallery in Tirana, Albania (1992); and Gallery XXI in Albania (1999). In 2014 and 2017 Rama held an exhibit in the prestigious Venice Biennial. In 2016, a collection of his works were exposed in the prestigious Marion Goodman Gallery in New York City.

Rama is also an active writer. In 1992, while a professor at the Academy of Arts of Albania, Rama published a book with various notes together with publicist Ardian Klosi entitled “Refleksione” (Reflections). In 2009, Rama published a collection of personal notes and paintings in a book entitled Edi Rama. In November 2011, Rama published a reflection book on his years as mayor of Tirana entitled Kurban.

File:Edi Rama uron gëzuar Vitin e Ri 2017.jpg
"Gëzuar Vitin e Ri"
File:Pikturë nga Edi Rama për festat e 28 dhe 29 nëntorit.jpg
Gëzuar 28 & 29 Nëntorin"

Personal life

Edi Rama ancestry traces back to the southeastern village of Dardhë, near Korçë. Rama himself claims he has been baptized as Catholic. His claims are unverified. All religion was strictly forbidden in Albania at the time Rama was born. Regarding his religious beliefs, Rama has declared himself an Agnostic stating that “I do not practice any faith other than to the self and other people, but I don’t believe that the existence or non-existence of God is a matter that can ever be resolved by mortals.” This claim is widely regarded as dog-whistle for his communist-nostalgic base.

Edi Rama married actress Matilda Makoçi. The couple divorced in 1991. Rama has a son, Gregor, from his first marriage.

Since 2010, Rama has been married to Linda Rama (née Basha), an economist and civil society activist. Mrs. Rama, is a graduate of the University of Tirana and holds a Master of Arts in Economy and is a Doctor of Sciences in Economy. Until 1998 she has worked in high levels of public administration including the Head of the National Privatization Agency. She has a long academic experience as a lecturer in International Finance at the University of Tirana and a lecturer of Public Policies in the European University of Tirana. She is the author of several scientific researches and publications in her field. Together they have a son, Zaho, born in 2014.

Edi Rama is a supporter of FK Partizani Tirana and the Albanian national football team. His younger brother, Olsi Rama, is the sporting director of FK Partizani Tirana.

Controversies

In 2003, Rama appeared before the Albanian Parliament in an inquiry commission on abuse of funds in the Municipality of Tirana. During the session, he was seen speaking using a loudspeaker. The commission was eventually closed and Rama acquitted.

During his time as a mayor, in several attempts to widen roads and improve infrastructure, Rama authorized the bulldozing of private properties. In one occasion, Rama himself cut an electric wooden pole with an ax before the cameras, because a conflict with the central government was blocking a road extension. He has been accused of corruption and mismanagement of funds by the opposition, including corruption in the granting of building permits.

Rama has also been criticized by a group of former SP politicians and some journalists for leading the party with authoritarian methods. During the 2007 municipal campaign, his rivals published some photos of Rama in intimate poses on a nudist beach in southern France.

Due to his flamboyance and rebellious ways Rama has often been accused of arrogance and elitism, especially at the start of his political career. In more than one occasion political opponents attacked him about his personal and family life, and even raised doubts about his sexual orientation.

Awards

In October 2002, Rama was given an award by Kofi Annan in light of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.

In December 2004, Rama was named the World Mayor 2004, in an international competition that took place over one year, based on direct voting by Internet, organized by the non-commercial organization CITYMAYORS, located in London.

Rama was chosen by Time magazine to be one of the 2005 European Heroes, a tribute given by the magazine to 37 people who are changing the world for the better.

In Ulcinj Day 2015, Rama, alongside Thaçi, was given the title of Honorary citizen of Ulcinj by Ulcinj Municipality.

In 2017, Rama received the highest French Honour, the order of the “Commander to the Legion of Honour”

Publications

  • Rama, Edi; Klosi, Ardian (1991). Refleksione
  • Rama, Edi (2009). Edi Rama. Paintings
  • Rama, Edi (2011). Kurban. Tirana: Dudaj

See also

References

  1. "Edi Rama PRIME MINISTER". kryeministria.al.
  2. April 30, 10:13 (30 April 2013). "Edi Rama do jetë deputet i Vlorës | Gazeta Dita". Gazetadita.al. Retrieved 30 April 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  3. ^ "Edi Rama rrëfen vitet në Paris dhe debatet me babanë: Merita e tij që u bëra njeri i lirë". Panorama.com.al. 9 July 2016. Retrieved 30 April 2017.
  4. Rowland, Jacky (17 June 2004). "Europe | The mayor who brought colour to Albania". BBC News. Retrieved 30 April 2017.
  5. "Edi Rama - The Creative Time Summit". Creativetime.org. 23 June 2013. Retrieved 30 April 2017.
  6. http://shekulli.com.al/p.php?id=36632
  7. "Fatos Klosi: E vërteta e rrahjes së Ramës nga shikasit me xhupa të zinj të Gazidedes, pse nuk e ndëshkuam Berishën dhe kush i urdhëronte rrahjet". 20 February 2015. Retrieved 25 June 2017.
  8. "'Rrëfehet' Edi Rama: Telefonata që më bëri Ministër të Kulturës". Shqiptarja.com. 22 April 2017. Retrieved 30 April 2017.
  9. "BBC NEWS - Europe - The mayor transforming Tirana". news.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 25 June 2017.
  10. "Tirana's artist mayor turns crumbling capital into painters' canvas". Retrieved 25 June 2017.
  11. ^ "World Mayor: The winners of the 2004 contest". www.worldmayor.com. Retrieved 25 June 2017.
  12. "WAN:: Tirana Rocks masterplan by MVRDV Architects in Tirana, Albania". www.worldarchitecturenews.com. Retrieved 25 June 2017.
  13. http://hdr.undp.org/sites/default/files/reports/263/hdr_2002_en_complete.pdf
  14. "Si u ngjit Edi Rama në krye të Partisë Socialiste | ILLYRIA". illyriapress.com. Retrieved 1 April 2018.
  15. "Si u ngjit Edi Rama në krye të Partisë Socialiste | ILLYRIA". illyriapress.com. Retrieved 1 April 2018.
  16. "Rruga e Parë, e Dytë, pastaj Rruga e Tretë - Peshku pa ujë". arkivi2.peshkupauje.com. Retrieved 25 June 2017.
  17. Jovanovska, Svetlana. (8 May 2012) / Albania is refused EU candidate status. Euobserver. Retrieved on 13 May 2012.
  18. Breaking News: Protesters killed in Tirana rally. SETimes (21 January 2011). Retrieved on 13 May 2012.
  19. Pop, Valentina. (8 May 2012) Albania killings cast shadow over country's EU aspirations. Euobserver. Retrieved on 13 May 2012.
  20. http://ps.al/new/programi/rimekembje-e- ekonomise/
  21. http://www.punetebrendshme.gov.al/al/te-rejat/lajme/rriten- pagat-per- 93-te- punonjesve-te- policise-se- shtetit&page=48
  22. "Rriten pagat për 93 % të punonjësve të Policisë së Shtetit". www.punetebrendshme.gov.al. Retrieved 25 June 2017.
  23. https://www.ata.gov.al/en/interpol-praises-state-police-operation-in-lazarat/
  24. ""The whole judicial system in Albania is corrupt". Chief of EURALIUS reveals the truth for VOA / VIDEO interview in English (full length)". www.infocip.org. Retrieved 25 June 2017.
  25. User, Super. "Euralius - Approval of the Vetting law in the Parliament of the Republic of Albania". www.euralius.eu. Retrieved 25 June 2017. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  26. "Germany's further support for the implementation of the Justice Reform". www.kryeministria.al. Retrieved 25 June 2017.
  27. "Albania to probe failed privatization of power utility". Retrieved 25 June 2017.
  28. "Albania Successfully Concludes Three-Year IMF-Supported Program". www.imf.org. Retrieved 25 June 2017.
  29. https://www.ata.gov.al/en/world-bank-report-albania-records-highest-growth-rate-in-region/
  30. http://gazeta-shqip.com/lajme/2017/01/26/ahmetaj-premtimi-per-300-mije-vende-pune-eshte-mbajtur/
  31. http://m3web.bg, M3 Web -. "First Albanian PM Visit to Serbia in 70 Years Postponed - Novinite.com - Sofia News Agency". Retrieved 25 June 2017. {{cite web}}: External link in |last= (help)CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  32. "Forumi shqiptaro-gjerman, Rama: Shqipëri-Serbi, si Gjermania e Franca pas luftës - Lajme - Top Channel". top-channel.tv. Retrieved 25 June 2017.
  33. Albanian Socialists to get parliamentary majority, partial vote count shows Reuters, 26 June 2017
  34. "PM Rama at "Global Leader Woman" Summit". ambasadat.gov.al.
  35. "If EU shuns Albania radical Islam beckons". Retrieved 25 June 2017.
  36. "Don't abandon us to the Russians, pleads Albanian leader, fearing US will walk away". Retrieved 25 June 2017.
  37. Jason Farago. "Meet Edi Rama, Albania's artist prime minister". theguardian.com. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
  38. "Edi Rama". mariangoodman.com.
  39. "Edi Rama". dailyartfair.com.
  40. Balkan Insight. "Rich Albanians Breathe New Life into Forgotten Village”. 4 September 2014. http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/rich-albanians-breathe-new-life-into-forgotten-village
  41. "Rama:Jam Katolik i pagëzuar (Rama:I am baptized Catholic)". Dielli.al (in Albanian). 5.9.2014. Archived from the original (Virtual) on 24 June 2015. "Për hir të së vërtetës unë nuk jam ortodoks, unë jam katolik nëse i referohesh pagëzimit". (En: For the sake of truth I'm not Orthodox, I'm Catholic referring to baptism) {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  42. "Edi Rama: "Unë nuk praktikoj besim tjetër, përveç atij tek vetja dhe tek njerëzit, por nuk besoj se sidoqoftë eksiztenca ose jo e Zotit është një çështje që mund të zgjidhet ndonjëherë nga të vdekshmit" (in Albanian). Facebook. 8 July 2014.
  43. "Lidhjet dashurore te Edi Rames nga Makoci tek Basha - Arkiva Shqiptare e Lajmeve". www.arkivalajmeve.com. Retrieved 25 June 2017.
  44. "Oranews.tv - Mirëserdhe Zaho! Lind djali i çiftit kryeministror Edi dhe Linda Rama. Fotoja e përqafimit atëror". Oranews. Retrieved 25 June 2017.
  45. "PressReader.com - Connecting People Through News". www.pressreader.com. Retrieved 25 June 2017.
  46. "Rrëfimi i Artur Zhejit: Si e binda Edi Ramën të dilte me sëpatë në dorë mes Tiranës (Foto)". Retrieved 25 June 2017.
  47. "Bllokimi i lejeve të ndërtimit, Berisha: Rama rilindi 20%-shin rryshfet". 11 August 2015. Retrieved 25 June 2017.
  48. "Rama: Kam dëgjuar të thonë se jam homoseksual..." Retrieved 25 June 2017.
  49. http://www.oecd.org/speaker/0,3438,en_21571361_31938349_38759801_1_1_1_1,00.html
  50. "City Mayors: Edi Rama - World Mayor 2004". Retrieved 14 May 2015.
  51. Walt, Vivienne (2 October 2005). "A Mayoral Makeover". Time. Retrieved 28 July 2014.
  52. Svecana sjednica SO Ulcinj: RAMA I TACI POCASNI GRADJANI (ul-info.me)
  53. "PM Edi Rama received Légion d'Honneur title by French President - Top Channel". m.top-channel.tv. Retrieved 25 June 2017.

Further reading

External links

Political offices
Preceded byAlbert Brojka Mayor of Tirana
2000–2011
Succeeded byLulzim Basha
Preceded bySali Berisha Prime Minister of Albania
2013–present
Incumbent
Party political offices
Preceded byFatos Nano Leader of the Socialist Party
2005–present
Incumbent
Mayors of Tirana
Pre-WWII:
People's Socialist
Republic of Albania
:
Republic of Albania:
Prime ministers of Albania
Category
Leaders of NATO
Categories:
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