Rama I Government

The first Government of Prime Minister Edi Rama was the 65th ruling Government of the Republic of Albania formed on 15 September 2013.

Rama I Government

65th Government of Albania
2013‒2017
Date formed15 September 2013 (2013-09-15)
Date dissolved13 September 2017 (2017-09-13)
People and organisations
PresidentBujar Nishani
Prime MinisterEdi Rama
Deputy Prime MinisterNiko Peleshi
Ledina Mandia
No. of ministers19[lower-alpha 1]
Total no. of members36[lower-alpha 1]
Member partiesPS, LSI
Status in legislatureCoalition government
Opposition partiesPD, PR
Opposition leaderLulzim Basha
History
Election(s)2013 election
PredecessorBerisha II Government
SuccessorRama II Government

Following the 2013 election, the Socialist Party-led Alliance for a European Albania won a majority of seats to Parliament and formed the government. There is a record, six women in the government, which is a regional precedent as well. Rama said: "A team has been built with almost 90 percent of people sitting for the first time in the ministerial chair and probably with more women that all the governments of Albania have had all together in these 20 years."[1]

Issues

Amongst its first issues was a reshuffling of the domestic security infrastructure boost security and combat an increasing crime rate. In announcing the change, Rama said "We have inherited a security situation unthinkable for a country that is not in a state of war or armed conflict." The changes entailed a less centralised in order to be closer to the community. In this regard, the number of high-ranking officers was reduced from 811 to 255, the head of the General Directorate of Police Hysni Burgaj was replaced by former special forces commander Artan Didi and the heads of the police in the 12 administrative regions were also replaced, while units like the traffic police were disbanded.[2]

Looking to gain membership to the European Union, it has gained the support of former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, he becoming an advisor to the government.[3] It has also gained the support of the multiple EU governments to help propel it forward towards EU integration.

On 16 October 2013 the European Commission released its annual reports on prospective member states which concluded that the Albanian election was held in an "orderly manner" and that progress had been made in meeting other conditions and as such recommended granting Albania candidate status.[4] On 5 December 2013 in an MEP meeting it was recommended that "...the Council should acknowledge the progress made by Albania by granting it candidate status without undue delay."[5] However, several states, including Denmark and the Netherlands, remained opposed to granting Albania candidate status,[6] and at a December 2013 meeting the Council of the European Union put off the decision until June 2014.[7]

As done during his tenure as Mayor of Tirana, Rama stresses the modernization of public services and has started the process of modernizing and restoring customs and also employed the English "Crown Agents", to help reform the customs.[8] Also done when mayor, the demolition of buildings by the NUCI, the National Urban Construction Institution, is an important matter for keeping the coast and Albania authentic.[9]

Cabinet

The first Rama Government on the day he took office consisted of 19 ministers, not including the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister.[10]

PortfolioMinisterTook officeLeft officeParty
Prime Minister15 September 201313 September 2017 PS
Deputy Prime Minister15 September 201322 May 2017 PS
22 May 201713 September 2017 Independent
Ministry of Finances15 September 201317 February 2016 PS
26 February 201622 May 2017 PS
Helga Vukaj
22 May 201713 September 2017 Independent
Ministry of Internal Affairs15 September 201319 March 2017 PS
24 March 201722 May 2017 PS
Dritan Demiraj
22 May 201713 September 2017 Independent
Ministry of Defence15 September 201313 September 2017 PS
Ministry of Foreign Affairs15 September 201313 September 2017 PS
Ministry of European Integration15 September 201313 September 2017 LSI
Ministry of Justice15 September 201310 November 2015 LSI
Ylli Manjani
13 November 201531 January 2017 LSI
3 February 201722 May 2017 LSI
22 May 201713 September 2017 PD
Minister of Transport and Infrastructure15 September 20139 September 2016 LSI
Sokol Dervishaj
9 September 201613 September 2017 LSI
Minister of Education and Sports15 September 201322 May 2017 PS
Mirela Karabina
22 May 201713 September 2017 Independent
Ministry of Economic Development, Tourism, Trade and Enterprise
The Department of Tourism was added to this ministry in February 2015		15 September 201317 February 2016 PS
Milva Ekonomi
26 February 201613 September 2017 PS
Ministry of Urban Development
Until February 2015, Ministry of Urban Development and Tourism
Eglantina Gjermeni
15 September 201313 September 2017 PS
Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Water Administration15 September 201313 September 2017 LSI
Ministry of Health15 September 201319 March 2017 PS
24 March 201722 May 2017 PS
Arben Beqiri
22 May 201713 September 2017 Independent
Ministry of Social Welfare and Youth15 September 201311 May 2015 PS
26 May 201519 March 2017 PS
24 March 201722 May 2017 PS
Xhulieta Kërtusha
22 May 201713 September 2017 Independent
Minister of Culture15 September 201313 September 2017 PS
Minister of Energy and Industry15 September 201313 September 2017 PS
Minister of Environment15 September 201313 September 2017 LSI
Minister of State for Relations with Parliament
Ilirjan Celibashi
15 September 201314 August 2014 PS
27 August 201413 September 2017 PS
Minister of State for Innovation and Public Administration15 September 201313 September 2017 PS
Minister of State for Local Affairs15 September 201319 March 2017 PS
24 March 201713 September 2017 PS

Notes
  1. The PM and Deputy Prime Minister are not counted.

See also

References
  1. "Albania Sets Gender Precedent in Region Eurasia Review". Eurasiareview.com. 10 August 2013. Retrieved 17 November 2013.
  2. Besar Likmeta (3 May 2013). "New Albania Govt Restructures Police Force". Balkan Insight. Retrieved 17 November 2013.
  3. "BBC News - Tony Blair joins Albania's campaign to join European Union". Bbc.co.uk. 3 October 2013. Retrieved 17 November 2013.
  4. "EU enlargement: priorities for 2014". European Commission. 16 October 2013. Retrieved 16 October 2013.
  5. "ViEU integration: progress reports for Albania, Serbia, Kosovo, Iceland". European Parliament. 5 December 2013. Retrieved 10 December 2013.
  6. "Serbia Expected To Get EU Membership Boost; Delay For Albania". 17 December 2013. Retrieved 17 December 2013.
  7. "Council conclusions on Enlargement and Stabilisation and Association Process" (PDF). Council of the European Union. 17 December 2013. Retrieved 17 December 2013.
  8. "Albania seeks foreign experts to increase pace of reforms". 14 January 2014. Archived from the original on 16 January 2014.
  9. "INUK vazhdon aksionin në Dhërmi - Lajme - Top Channel". top-channel.tv.
  10. "Fletorja Zyrtare e Republikës se Shqipërisë". Official Journal of the Republic of Albania. 154 (in Albanian). Parliament of Albania: 4. 13 September 2013.
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