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Chris LaCivita and Paul Manafort advise Berisha's campaign against Rama, while Republican lobbyists demand removal of "non grata" in the US
Some of Donald Trump's top presidential campaign strategists have reunited in Albania, in an effort to help "Trumpian" candidate Sali Berisha in this weekend's elections.
Berisha's team includes Chris LaCivita, former manager of Trump's successful 2024 presidential campaign, Tony Fabrizio, Trump's renowned pollster, and Paul Manafort, former chairman of Trump's 2016 campaign, previously convicted of secretly lobbying in favor of the pro-Russian president of Ukraine.
The group is working for former Prime Minister and President Sali Berisha, the leader of the opposition Democratic Party, who is challenging Prime Minister Edi Rama to return the Democrats to power, while Berisha himself is awaiting trial on corruption charges.
Berisha, who hopes the new US administration will lift sanctions that bar him from entering the US, has also signed a two-year, $6 million contract with the US lobbying firm Continental Strategy, which is close to the Republicans.
At the same time, Rama also has his own connections with Trump allies. In December, Rama's cabinet approved negotiations with the company of Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law, to build a $1.6 billion luxury resort on the island of Sazani.
During the campaign, Berisha has portrayed himself as a Trump-like figure, claiming to be the victim of a political scheme backed by billionaire George Soros. He initially launched the campaign with the slogan "Make Albania Great Again," but later changed it to "Great Albania" to avoid political misinterpretations.
In many countries, ties to Trump have been seen as an electoral advantage, while in others they have become a problem. In Argentina and El Salvador, figures close to Trump have scored major political victories.
According to the DP, the engagement of the Americans is a significant achievement. The party says the consultants are helping with strategy and public communication. LaCivita and Manafort have appeared publicly at Berisha's electoral events.
Meanwhile, the DP's contract with Continental Strategy has caused controversy and led to investigations by SPAK. The lobbying firm was paid by the "Make Albania Great Again" foundation, created by Albanian-American businessman Nuredin Seci.
Sali Berisha was declared "persona non grata" by former US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on charges of serious corruption during his administration from 2005 to 2013. He is also on trial for corruption related to the privatization of public lands.
In January, Berisha declared Trump's election a miracle for humanity and said he would ask the new administration to reconsider his "non grata" declaration. LaCivita has called Berisha a "true friend of the United States" and compared him to Trump as victims of political persecution./ Adapted pamphlet from The Washington Post
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