In a world where the lines between right and wrong are increasingly blurred, the need for strong, principled conservatism has never been greater.
This message resonated at a recent gathering co-organized by the Albanian Policy Center, the Heritage Foundation, and Nazione Futura, highlighting the urgency of adopting a conservative vision to guide Albania through its challenges.
Albanian conservatives are ready to break the dangerous status quo of "stabilocracy" and help build a sustainable model of democracy with the necessary checks and balances for long-term stability.
As Albania stands at a critical crossroads, the theme of the forum, The Conservative Way Forward, served as a rallying cry for those determined to chart a new course.
For decades, Albania suffered under the harsh realities of communism, enduring oppression, and the systematic erosion of personal and national identity.
The legacy of that regime still casts a long shadow over the country. The communist dictatorship sought to dismantle the fabric of Albanian society, severing intergenerational ties, and stripping away identity, history, and spiritual connection.
Yet, despite the long years of darkness, the Albanian spirit remained unbroken.
The resilience of political prisoners, legitimate property owners, and anti-communists allowed Albania to survive.
When the opportunity for freedom finally came, the people seized it, knowing full well that the path would not be easy.
This resistance inspires Albania's ongoing journey toward a future defined by freedom and opportunity. Our unfortunate past uniquely positions us to recognize the dangers posed by the new incarnation of communism — cultural Marxism, advanced by the so-called woke movement — and to offer insights on how to stop it.
Today, Albania faces new challenges: a fragile economy, rampant corruption, and a state that has become omnipresent.
Many Albanians are leaving the country, driven by a well-planned depopulation agenda. Additionally, many feel that their sovereignty is being undermined by global actors indifferent to our fate.
Our country is surrounded by diplomats and foreign dignitaries who have succumbed to less-than-savory inducements, obscuring the reality of our situation from other European governments and American shores.
Currently, Albania has the only political prisoner in Europe, with the pro-Western leader of the conservative movement, Sali Berisha, spending nine months under house arrest without accusation or official charge.
Albania can't afford to drift passively toward an uncertain and dangerous future.
With aggressive powers like Russia on the rise in the East and an increasingly expansionist China, Albania must make a clear and unequivocal choice about the model it follows.
Will it succumb to authoritarianism and bureaucracy, or will it embrace a path that guarantees free competition of ideas, political rotation, and balanced governance?
The Albanian center-right has developed a long-term vision, one not just for the next election cycle but for the next 40 to 50 years.
This vision centers on creating a country that produces, exports, and employs, rather than merely consumes.
With lower taxes, deregulation, and incentives for work, this conservative agenda aims to restore the dignity of every individual while ensuring that fundamental freedoms are safeguarded.
Albanian conservatives are ready to govern the country, and they are showing it every day, despite the challenges within the country and a global effort to destroy the conservative opposition.
Albania stands at a moment of choice that will shape its fate for decades to come.
Will it continue down a path where the state grows larger, and individual freedoms shrink? Or will it return to the principles that have always made it strong?
This is not merely a decision for politicians; it is a choice that every Albanian must make.
The Albanian Policy Center, which I lead, has outlined a declaration of conservative principles, offering a clear roadmap for the nation's future.
These principles emphasize individual liberty, the sanctity of the family, the importance of tradition, free markets, and a commitment to national interest.
Political parties and our society are invited to rally around these ideals, representing the best path forward for a country seeking unity, growth, and renewal.
The conservative Democratic Party has already embraced many of these ideas in its Political Doctrine.
Our recent event showed that the conservative movement in Albania is neither isolated nor defeated. It remains vibrant, filled with ideas and a bold vision for the future.
Albanians now have a chance to break free from the violent past, heal the wounds of communism, and open a new chapter in their national story.
We extend a hand of friendship and cooperation to all who wish to keep the Balkans aligned with the political West.
American and European nations have strong allies in the Albanian conservative movement, ready to work together to save both the region's democracy and stability before larger conflicts arise.
By choosing conservatism, Albania can choose freedom, hope, and strength.
The time is now for the nation to unite behind a vision that promises a brighter and more prosperous future.
The time is now for nations globally to acknowledge we are here as trustworthy partners working together for a democratic Albania and stronger Balkans.
Nikola Kedhi, Chairman of the Board of the Albanian Policy Center. Read more of his reports — here.