| Current Chairman of the Council of Ministers of Albania since September 15, Date of Birth: |
Edi Rama, the current Prime Minister of Albania since September 15, , is a renowned public figure and politician. His multifaceted career spans the worlds of art, academia, and politics.
Born in Tirana, Albania, Rama was drawn to the arts from an early age. As a teenager, he played for Partizani Tirana, the country's leading basketball team, and represented Albania in the National Basketball League. After the fall of communism, he actively participated in the first democratic movements in the country.
Rama pursued a higher education in art and became an accomplished painter. He taught as a professor at the Academy of Arts in Albania during the early s. In , he traveled to Paris to further his studies, where his artistic talent was showcased in exhibitions both within and outside the country.
In , Rama returned to Albania from Paris following the tragic loss of his father, the renowned sculptor Kristaq Rama. He was quickly appointed Minister of Culture, Youth, and Sports in the government of Prime Minister Fatos Nano, despite being an independent candidate at the time.
In October , Rama contested the mayoral election of Tirana as an independent candidate with the support of the Socialist Party of Albania. He emerged victorious, receiving 55% of the vote.
Rama's tenure as Mayor of Tirana was marked by a transformative approach to urban planning and development. He demolished illegal buildings, repainted building facades in vibrant colors, and initiated a major greening and infrastructure project that added 97, square meters of new parks to the city. For his groundbreaking efforts, he was awarded the World Mayor Prize in and featured as one of Time magazine's European Heroes in
In October , Rama officially joined the Socialist Party. Following the party's defeat in the parliamentary elections, he was elected as its leader, replacing Fatos Nano.
After leading the Socialist Party to victory in the parliamentary elections, Rama was appointed Prime Minister of Albania by President Bujar Nishani. He formed a one-party socialist government and later retained his position following the elections.
In , Rama concurrently served as Minister of Foreign Affairs from January 23 to December 31, After the Socialist Party's success in the elections, he was re-elected as Prime Minister.
Rama's accomplishments have garnered international attention. In , he was conferred the honorary citizenship of Ulcinj, Montenegro, in recognition of his contributions to the region.
Edi Rama's legacy encompasses his transformative leadership as Mayor of Tirana, his political prowess as Prime Minister, and his artistic talent as a painter. His vision for a modern, inclusive, and prosperous Albania continues to shape the country's present and future.