Rama, in power as head of the Socialist Party since 2013, is likely to beat his old rival, former two-time prime minister and once president, Sali Berisha of the Democratic Party.

With LaCivita’s backing, Berisha is trying to topple Edi Rama, the painter-turned-socialist heavyweight who has held Albania in thrall for more than two decades, first as mayor of Tirana and then ...

Former Trump strategists back Albanian conservative Sali Berisha in election battle against Socialist PM Edi Rama, highlighting international political alignments in Balkan politics.

Rama has a long-running and bitter rivalry with the ex-leader of the right-wing Democratic Party, Sali Berisha, the previous prime minister and a former president.

Rama’s main rival, 80-year-old Sali Berisha, a former president and prime minister, leads the conservative Democratic Party.