Sali Berisha, the embattled leader of Albania’s opposition Democratic Party (DP), has enlisted the services of Chris LaCivita, a prominent U.S. political strategist and co-manager of President Donald Trump’s successful 2024 campaign. The announcement, made earlier this month, has sparked widespread speculation that Berisha’s decision is a calculated attempt to leverage Trump’s influence to lift U.S. sanctions imposed on him in 2021 for alleged corruption—a designation that has severely tarnished his political standing. Berisha, a former Albanian president and prime minister, revealed LaCivita’s involvement during a press conference in Tirana, framing it as a strategic partnership to bolster the DP’s campaign ahead of the country’s parliamentary elections in May. However, political analysts view the hiring as a cynical ploy to curry favor with Trump. Berisha has been vocal about his hope that Trump will reverse the “persona non grata” status imposed by the Biden administration, which barred him and his family from entering the U.S. due to accusations of “significant corruption” during his 2005-2013 tenure as prime minister. The sanctions, upheld by Secretary of State Antony Blinken, were seen as a blow to Berisha’s credibility, and he has since claimed they were orchestrated by his rival, current Prime Minister Edi Rama, and billionaire philanthropist George Soros. The move has raised eyebrows given the Democratic Party’s reported financial struggles, with questions lingering over how it can afford LaCivita, whose services reportedly earned him $22 million during Trump’s campaign. Adding to the skepticism is the stark contrast between Berisha’s predicament and the stance of Albania’s current government under Edi Rama. Rama, leader of the Socialist Party since 2005 and prime minister since 2013, has cultivated a strong pro-Western image, fostering close ties with both the United States and Israel. His administration has been a reliable partner in NATO, a vocal supporter of U.S. foreign policy, and an advocate for Israel in international forums—positions that align seamlessly with Trump’s “America First” agenda. “Rama’s Albania is already a steadfast ally of the U.S. and Israel,” noted Dr. Ana Gjoka, a political science professor at the University of Tirana. “Berisha’s narrative that Rama is a ‘Soros puppet’ hostile to American interests doesn’t hold water when you look at the current government’s track record.” Gjoka suggested that Berisha’s hiring of LaCivita might instead be an attempt to outmaneuver Rama by appealing directly to Trump’s personal affinity for loyalty and deal-making. The timing of LaCivita’s involvement coincides with a broader resurgence of Berisha’s political fortunes. After years of internal party strife following his U.S. sanctioning, he regained control of the DP in 2024 and now positions himself as the chief opposition figure. Yet his legal troubles persist: in September 2024, Albania’s Special Prosecution Against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK) charged him with corruption over a construction deal allegedly benefiting his son-in-law, a case he and his family vehemently deny. As the May elections approach, Berisha’s alliance with LaCivita could amplify his campaign’s visibility, but it also risks alienating voters wary of foreign influence in Albanian politics. For now, the opposition leader appears to be betting on a Trump card—literally and figuratively—to reshape his future, both at home and abroad. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)