GOP lawmakers urge Rubio to weigh Albania visa bans for corruption

Two Republican lawmakers have appealed to Secretary of State Marco Rubio over what they describe as democratic backsliding in Albania, a NATO ally. In a letter, they urged the State Department to consider visa restrictions against Albanian officials credibly linked to serious corruption.

“We write to express concern about the state of democracy and the rule of law in the Republic of Albania, a NATO ally and candidate for European Union membership,” the lawmakers wrote. They said the United States has invested substantially in Albania’s justice reforms and warned that recent developments indicate the progress remains vulnerable and could be undone in critical areas.

The lawmakers specifically called on Rubio to invoke the State Department’s authority under Section 7031(c) of the annual Department of State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs Appropriations Act. That provision allows the department to publicly bar Albanian officials—and, when appropriate, their immediate relatives—when credible evidence indicates involvement in significant corruption.

The letter was signed by Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., and Rep. Keith Self, R-Texas, who chairs the House Europe Subcommittee. They asked the administration to respond to four questions by Nov. 5.

Among other requests, the congressmen want the State Department to say whether it will review Albanian officials for possible visa restrictions. They also asked for details on U.S. support for Albania’s wider justice-reform agenda and whether the U.S. Embassy in Tirana is coordinating with Albanian authorities to safeguard protesters and journalists.

Wilson and Self also sought an update on former Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku, who faces accusations of interfering with public procurement tied to road projects. Prosecutors asked parliament in December 2025 to remove her immunity, clearing the way for an arrest. Prime Minister Edi Rama argued that request was unconstitutional, and lawmakers have not authorized the arrest.

The Republicans argued that Albania’s anti-corruption bodies cannot effectively investigate wrongdoing if political leaders protect the officials those institutions are pursuing.

The unrest has drawn comparisons with demonstrations in France and other parts of Europe, as tens of thousands of Albanians protest alleged government corruption, poor educational conditions, unemployment and limited economic opportunity. Led largely by students, the nationwide movement is demanding accountability, stronger action against corruption and what participants describe as a restoration of democratic institutions and the rule of law.

The demonstrations began in Tirana two weeks ago, with protesters calling for Rama’s resignation. Tensions soon escalated, with demonstrators throwing Molotov cocktails at the Education Ministry and confronting police.

Protesters also targeted the Tirana headquarters of Rama’s Socialist Party, where they faced riot police deployed to protect government buildings.

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Rama has accused “foreign hands” opposed to Albania’s European Union ambitions of fueling the unrest. He said groups presenting themselves as student representatives were, in reality, more closely tied to organized crime than to the student movement.

The prime minister has so far rejected calls to step down, although he has offered to open a dialogue with demonstrators.

The escalating violence has raised fresh concerns about Albania’s democratic stability as the country works to preserve its reform trajectory and advance its bid for EU membership.

“Congress is deeply concerned about the situation in Albania as the government uses excessive force against citizens who are demanding accountability and clean institutions,” Wilson said in a statement to News Media. “Corruption and narcotrafficking associated with the Rama government must be countered.”

Albania’s political crisis comes as the country continues its long campaign to join the European Union. It received official candidate status in 2014, and the European Commission’s 2025 report credited Tirana with meaningful progress in judicial reform and the fight against organized crime. However, ongoing corruption allegations involving the Rama government, along with the latest street violence, could make the path to EU accession more difficult.

The student-led protests in Albania also echo the large demonstrations in neighboring Serbia, where a movement led by students brought down longtime leader Aleksandar Vučić.

“Vucic’s defeat by a student-backed movement, following nearly two years of demonstrations over corruption and government accountability, is a striking parallel with the unrest now confronting Rama in Albania, where protests have been ongoing for over 150 days,” Agim Nesho, former Albanian ambassador to the U.N. and U.S., told Fox News.

“In Albania, students and other citizens have been demonstrating since May, with the latest wave of daily protests intensifying demands for the resignation of a prime minister who has governed for more than 13 years with rampant corruption and declining public services,” Nesho added.