The Balkanisation of Politics: Crime and Corruption in Albania

In the last few years, Albania, as well as other South Eastern and Mediterranean countries, have shown an increasing growth in corruption, affecting every level of political power. Organized crime is becoming more sophisticated as it consolidates links between Albanian clans and the wider criminal world. According to the EU, the FBI or any other police organization reports, the situation concerning organized crime and corruption is grave throughout the Balkans, but especially, in Albania, even while its authorities are continuing to implement talks for future membership in the EU. Something has been done, but it is not, of course, sufficient. The authorities appear not to admit to the full extent of criminal links with individuals among state offices, the police and politics. In many areas the traffickers work with the complicity of police and customs officials and enjoy the protection of high-ranking politicians. Corruption remains endemic and is destined to seriously undermine efforts for democratization of the society. This is a sort of vicious cycle: every institution in Albania is affected by organized crime, condemning democracy and economic development; any attempts to change the situation, like the Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe seem to be ineffective. This paper aims to analyze the problem of corruption and illegality in the current period in Albania and to measure its infiltration through local authorities at every level in the political, economic and social life.