Rama III Government

Rama III Government

67th Government of Albania
2021‒Incumbent
Date formed18 September 2021 (2021-09-18)
People and organisations
PresidentIlir Meta
Bajram Begaj
Prime MinisterEdi Rama
Deputy Prime MinisterBelinda Balluku
No. of ministers17[a]
Ministers removed4
Total no. of members21[a]
Member parties  PS
Status in legislatureMajority
Opposition parties  PD,   LSI,   PSD,   PR,
  PDIU,   PAA,   LZHK,
  PLL,   PBDNJ
Opposition leaderLulzim Basha
Sali Berisha
History
Election2021 election
PredecessorRama II Government

The third Government of Prime Minister Edi Rama is the 67th ruling Government of the Republic of Albania. The Government was officially confirmed by President Ilir Meta on 18 September 2021.[1][2] Following the 2021 election, the Socialist Party won, for the third consecutive time, a majority of seats in the Albanian Parliament, and, for the second consecutive time, the ability to form a government without the need for a coalition.[3]

Background

On 10 September 2021, the government of Prime Minister Rama received a vote of confidence in the Kuvendi.[4][5][6] On 14 September, the President Ilir Meta decreed the government after all ministers were confirmed by the national anti-corruption agency, Special Structure against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK).[7][8] Subsequently, on 18 September at 10:00 (CET), Rama's third cabinet was officially sworn in during a formal ceremony presided over by President at Presidenca in Tirana.[9][10] After the oath-taking, Rama convened an inaugural session with the newly appointed ministers, comprising 12 women and 5 men, marking their first summit as the Këshilli i Ministrave at Kryeministria.[10] The cabinet received parliamentary approval with 77 votes in favor, amid ongoing discussions regarding President Meta's recent dismissal, which awaited a ruling from the Constitutional Court.[4] The administration's agenda emphasised earthquake reconstruction, effective pandemic management, enhancement of welfare, and initiatives aimed at economic modernisation and the fortification of the rule of law.[10]

Cabinet

The Rama's III government differs slightly from the end of the previous mandate, making its key posts entrusted to the same ministers again. Ministers such as Belinda Balluku and Ogerta Manastirliu were reconfirmed in previous positions, taking into account the popularity won during the exercise of their duties.[11] Both were ranked high in the polls, especially Ogerta Manastirliu for her actions during the COVID-19 pandemic in Albania, which gave her a lot of popularity for the management of the situation despite the criticism.[12]

The new Albanian government was widely praised for the dominance of women in ministerial posts. Out of 17 ministries, 12 will be led by women, making it fifth globally in women's representation in Cabinet, according to the latest United Nations.[13][14][15] Rama himself in his speech in parliament described it as “This new government will enter history as the cabinet with the highest number of women”.[16] In this new mandate, Arben Ahmetaj was also reconfirmed in office as Minister of State for Reconstruction and Reform Program, but was also appointed Deputy Prime Minister.[17] Giving importance to the program of reconstruction and recovery from the consequences of the earthquake of November 2019, where damage was done to apartments, schools, cultural and historical objects, as well as infrastructure.[18] On 11 January 2024, a new ministry, Ministry of State for Public Administration and Anti-Corruption, is created to ease the negotiations for the accession of Albania to the European Union.[19]

Portfolio Minister Took office Left office Party
Prime Minister Edi Rama 18 September 2021 Incumbent
*
PS
Deputy Prime Minister Arben Ahmetaj 18 September 2021 28 July 2022
*
PS
Belinda Balluku 28 July 2022 Incumbent
*
PS
Ministry of Economy, Culture and Innovation Blendi Gonxhja 10 January 2024 Incumbent PS
Ministry of Finance Petrit Malaj 30 July 2024 Incumbent PS
Ministry of Interior Bledar Çuçi 18 September 2021 8 July 2023
*
PS
Taulant Balla 8 July 2023 30 July 2024 PS
Ervin Hoxha 30 July 2024 Incumbent PS
Ministry of Defence Niko Peleshi 18 September 2021 30 July 2024
*
PS
Pirro Vengu 30 July 2024 Incumbent PS
Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs Olta Xhaçka 18 September 2021 12 September 2023
*
PS
Igli Hasani 12 September 2023 Incumbent PS
Ministry of Justice Ulsi Manja 18 September 2021 Incumbent
*
PS
Minister of Infrastructure and Energy Belinda Balluku 18 September 2021 Incumbent PS
Ministry of Education, Sports and Youth Evis Kushi 18 September 2021 11 September 2023
*
PS
Ogerta Manastirliu 11 September 2023 Incumbent
*
PS
Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development Frida Krifca 18 September 2021 11 September 2023 PS
Anila Denaj 11 September 2023 Incumbent
*
PS
Ministry of Health and Social Protection Ogerta Manastirliu 18 September 2021 11 September 2023 PS
Albana Koçiu 11 September 2023 Incumbent PS
Ministry of Tourism and Environment Mirela Kumbaro (Furxhi) 18 September 2021 Incumbent
*
PS
Minister of State for Relations with Parliament Elisa Spiropali 18 September 2021 30 July 2024
*
PS
Taulant Balla 30 July 2024 Incumbent
*
PS
Minister of State for Entrepreneurs Edona Bilali 18 September 2021 11 September 2023
*
PS
Delina Ibrahimaj 11 September 2023 Incumbent PS
Minister of State for Youth and Children Bora Muzhaqi 18 September 2021 Incumbent PS
Minister of State and Chief Negotiator Majlinda Dhuka 28 July 2022 Incumbent PS
Minister of State for Local Government Arbjan Mazniku 11 September 2023 Incumbent PS
Minister of State for Public Administration and Anti-Corruption Adea Pirdeni 10 January 2024 Incumbent PS

Former Ministries

Portfolio Minister Took office Left office Party
Minister of State for Reconstruction and Reform Program Arben Ahmetaj 18 September 2021 28 July 2022 PS
Minister of State for Standards Services Milva Ekonomi 18 September 2021 11 September 2023
*
PS
Ministry of Finances and Economy Delina Ibrahimaj 18 September 2021 10 January 2024 PS
Ministry of Culture Elva Margariti 18 September 2021 10 January 2024 PS

See also

Notes

  1. ^ a b The PM and Deputy Prime Minister are not counted.

References

  1. ^ "Anëtarët e Këshillit të Ministrave betohen para Presidentit të Republikës, Sh.T.Z. Ilir Meta". Presidenti i Republikës së Shqipërisë (in Albanian). 18 September 2021. Retrieved 23 September 2021.
  2. ^ "US, OSCE, Commissioner for Enlargement, international messages on swearing in new government". politiko.al. Retrieved 23 September 2021.
  3. ^ "Albania's Socialists win election, gain 3rd straight mandate". AP NEWS. 27 April 2021. Retrieved 23 September 2021.
  4. ^ a b Abdula, Furkan; Cuka, Fatjon (17 September 2021). "Albania's new government gets vote of confidence" (in Albanian). Tirana: Anadolu Agency (AA). Archived from the original on 21 September 2021. Retrieved 3 November 2024.
  5. ^ "Albanian parliament sworn in following April Socialist win". The Independent. 10 September 2021. Archived from the original on 11 September 2021. Retrieved 3 November 2024.
  6. ^ "Albania approves female-dominated Cabinet". Deutsche Welle (DW). 17 September 2021. Archived from the original on 17 September 2021. Retrieved 3 November 2024.
  7. ^ Televizioni Klan (TV Klan) (14 September 2021). "Meta dekreton qeverinë Rama 3" (in Albanian). Archived from the original on 14 September 2021. Retrieved 6 November 2024.
  8. ^ "Meta dekreton kabinetin qeveritar 'Rama 3'". Koha (in Albanian). 14 September 2021. Archived from the original on 6 November 2024. Retrieved 6 November 2024.
  9. ^ "Qeveria 'Rama 3' betohet tek Presidenti Ilir Meta" (in Albanian). Televizioni Klan (TV Klan). 18 September 2021. Archived from the original on 18 September 2021. Retrieved 3 November 2024.
  10. ^ a b c Kraja, Gresa (18 September 2021). "Betohet Qeveria Rama 3" (in Albanian). Radio Evropa e Lirë. Archived from the original on 18 September 2021. Retrieved 3 November 2024.
  11. ^ "Rezultatet e sondazhit të Euronews Albania: Kë duan të shohin shqiptarët në kabinetin 'Rama 3'". Euronews Albania. 1 September 2021. Retrieved 23 September 2021.
  12. ^ "Performanca e ministrave, tre gra ndër më të vlerësuarat nga të rinjtë". Euronews Albania. 22 February 2021. Retrieved 23 September 2021.
  13. ^ "Fletorja Zyrtare e Republikës se Shqipërisë". Official Journal of the Republic of Albania. 145 (in Albanian). Parliament of Albania: 3. 17 September 2021.
  14. ^ Welle (www.dw.com), Deutsche. "Albania approves new female-dominated Cabinet | DW | 17.09.2021". DW.COM. Retrieved 23 September 2021.
  15. ^ "Albania votes in its first female dominated government". Reuters. 17 September 2021. Retrieved 23 September 2021.
  16. ^ "Albania claims global leadership for women in government". AP NEWS. 16 September 2021. Retrieved 23 September 2021.
  17. ^ "Arben Ahmetaj". Qeveria Shqiptare Keshilli i Ministrave. Retrieved 24 September 2021.
  18. ^ "Fjala e Zv. Kryeministrit Arben Ahmetaj Programi "Shqipëria 2030" | Rindërtimi". rindertimi.gov.al. Retrieved 24 September 2021.
  19. ^ "New Ministry for Public Administration, Anti-Corruption Proposed". ALBANIA DAILY NEWS. 11 January 2024. Retrieved 25 September 2024.