Lagging Albanian reforms overshadow EU accession talks

Significance

The code would incorporate controversial constitutional amendments favouring the governing Socialist Party (PS). The slow pace of judicial reform has held back Albania’s EU integration, and its negative impact has been exacerbated by the PS’s increasing tendency to ignore the opposition.

Impacts

• As the short-term prospect of EU accession talks recedes, Prime Minister Rama is likely to intensify his assertive approach to leadership.
• Rama will exploit the COVID-19 public health emergency to strengthen his government’s position.
• EU influence in Albania may be giving ground to US (and Russian, Turkish and Chinese) influence.