US military loan sparks debate in Albania's Parliament

The Socialist majority demanded that the deal be brought into the agenda with accelerated procedure, arguing that its implementation should start as soon as possible to reinforce the country's defence capacities.

The opposition, though stating it supports the agreement, rejected the way it was being examined.

On June 19th, the Government approved in principle the direct loan agreement between the Republic of Albania and the United States of America, within the framework of external military financing (FMF).

Parliament Speaker Niko Peleshi said the proposal for accelerated procedure was made by Socialist Party deputies.

He explained MPs could be familiar with the contents of the agreement after they sign the privacy declaration.

The leader of the Socialist Party's parliamentary group, Taulant Balla, described the agreement as <x0 Historical>”, saying it represents a testimony to the United States' faith in Albania.

This financing will be used exclusively for the modernisation of the Armed Forces, equipment and defence services according to NATO standards”, he said.

According to Balla, funds will be disbursed gradually according to the defence ministry's needs.

Albania will have 48 months to activate funds and 12 years for write-off, while using them will be monitored by the American Agency for Security and Defence Co-operation (DSCA).

The opposition praised the agreement, but rejected parliamentary procedure.

The head of the Democratic Party's Parliamentary Group, Gazment Bardi, said the majority-followed approach conflicts with the Constitution and proposed that the agreement be first reviewed on parliamentary commissions before being put to the polls at another session.

Referring to Article 83 of the Constitution, Bardh argued that a law cannot be adopted earlier than a week from the start of the screening procedure, and warned that the opposition would complain the procedure at the Constitutional Court.

He also criticised the Government for, as he said, delays in meeting commitments to NATO.

You've had 14 years to fulfill your obligations in the area of security. If public funds had not been misused through corruption, Albania would not have needed to borrow such loans”, Bardi said.

Even Democratic Party Chairman Sali Berisha said the agreement was forwarded by American authorities several months ago and was approved by the Government on 19 June, but that it had not been made public.

According to him, there is no reason for her to be brought to the Assembly with accelerated procedure.

On June 11th, Albanian Defence Minister Ermal Nufi paid an official visit to Washington, where he met with incumbent DSCA Director Mary Beth Morgan.

According to the Defence Ministry, the talks focused on advancing joint projects, strengthening defence capacities and increasing Albania's contribution to NATO.

D The SCA is the US Department of Defence agency that manages military co-operation programmes with partner countries, including financing, selling military equipment and projects to modernise the armed forces.

At the end of June, Albania increased the defence budget by 10.3 billion le leks approximately 105m euros.

According to the Government, defence spending amounts to 2.6 percent of the domestic production Bruto (PBB).

Growth in the budget comes at a time when the United States is urging NATO allies to increase investments in defence, while the Alliance has set the goal of member states reaching spending up to 5 percent of GDP by 2035.

Protests Out of the Convention

Meanwhile, outside Albania's Parliament, the next antigovernmental protest was held Monday.

Police blocked access roads to the Assembly and imposed additional security measures.

Tirana, July 27, 2026.

Protesters threw eggs and tomatoes towards the effective, while police used inflammatory spray to disperse.

A young man was sent to the hospital for medical assistance, and some protesters were escorted to the police, including one of the organisers.

The protest “Ulmingo Revolution”, which has been held for about two months, moves before the Assembly whenever the plenary sessions are held.

This time, the security perimeter expanded significantly to prevent protesters from approaching MPs.

Tirana, July 27, 2026.

Last week, 17 people were injured during clashes between protesters and rule forces, while about 30 people were accompanied to police among them by a journalist and an American linguistic anthropologist.

Protests began as opposition to the project supported by Jared Kouchner, American President Donald Trump's son-in-law, for the construction of a resort in Zrinec, near Vlora.

Later, they became a broader move against government policies, with demands for environmental protection and territory, the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama's government and the distribution of the Assembly. / REL