The Economist

Time for a change?

Feb 26th 2009

The forthcoming election looks like being a close contest
THE general election is four months off, but it feels closer. Every day Albania’s politicians are on the stump, addressing packed town halls and assembling campaign teams. Edi Rama, the colourful leader of the opposition Socialists, is underlining phrases in a book of Barack Obama’s speeches.

For change will be Mr Rama’s mantra as he challenges Sali Berisha, prime minister and leader of the Democratic Party. Mr Berisha has been at the heart of Albanian politics since the collapse of communism in 1991. Those born that year will be voting for the first time. They have no memory of communism, but also none of a time before Mr Berisha. Mr Rama thinks this is to his advantage.

Yet Mr Rama is not quite a new figure on the political landscape. The 44-year-old has been mayor of Tirana since 2000. He has transformed the city. Illegal buildings that scarred its centre have been bulldozed, grey blocks painted in colourful designs and plans are afoot to transform Skanderbeg Square into a pedestrian zone. Tirana is no longer the chaotic, declining city of the 1990s.

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