TIRANA (Reuters) -Albania’s parliament confirmed a fourth four-year mandate for Prime Minister Edi Rama on Thursday, who pledged he would make it his mission for the Balkan country to join the European Union by 2030.
Rama, who was the only candidate for prime minister, received 82 votes in the 140-seat parliament. His Socialist Party gained a majority for the fourth time in elections in May.
“Albania 2030 in the EU is the centerpiece of this mandate,” Rama told lawmakers. “European Albania is the guiding compass for every aspect of our program and the metronome for the rhythm of every reform we will undertake.”
Albania’s image has been tarnished by corruption scandals and political analysts say the country is a hub for gangs seeking to launder money from drugs and weapons trafficking, c