UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Congress of the United States

WASHINGTON, DC 20515

OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE • OCTOBER 22, 2026

SC Joe Wilson

CO-CHAIRMAN, HELSINKI COMMISSION

SOUTH CAROLINA – 02

TX

Keith Self

CHAIRMAN, EUROPE SUBCOMMITTEE

TEXAS – 03

TO

The Honorable Marco Rubio

Secretary of State
U.S. Department of State
2201 C Street NW, Washington, DC 20520

RE

CONCERN ABOUT DEMOCRACY IN ALBANIA

Via Electronic Transmission

OFFICIAL

Dear Secretary Rubio,

We write to express our profound and urgent concern regarding the accelerating democratic backsliding and systemic corruption in the Republic of Albania, a NATO Ally and aspirant to European Union membership.

Recent developments require immediate attention from the United States. Most alarmingly,The V-Dem Institute’s 2026 Democracy Report now classifies Albania as an electoral autocracy.This classification is not rhetorical; it reflects documented patterns of executive aggrandizement, erosion of judicial independence, and capture of oversight institutions by the ruling Socialist Party.

At the center of the current crisis is Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku, indicted by Albania’s Special Anti-Corruption Structure SPAK for alleged corruption and abuse of office related to the Llogara Tunnel project. Rather than allowing the independent judicial process to proceed, Prime Minister Edi Rama has publicly shielded Ms. Balluku, denigrated prosecutors, and refused to suspend her from office. This conduct sends a chilling signal throughout Albania’s government.

We have also received credible allegations that the head of Albania’s Intelligence Service,Vlora Hyseni, has engaged in obstruction of the SPAK investigation, including alleged surveillance of prosecutors and selective leaking of sensitive materials. Such interference, if proven, represents a direct assault on the rule of law.

Albania’s anti-corruption institutions cannot succeed when political leaders shield the officials they investigate.

— CORE FINDING, CONGRESSIONAL LETTER

This case is emblematic of a broader pattern. The so-called Flamingo Revolutionprotests that swept Tirana earlier this year were met not with reform but with dismissiveness. Independent media outlets documenting these issues have facedobstruction, threats, and attacks against journalists, a trend documented by international press freedom monitors.

Given the severity of these developments and Albania’s status as a strategic partner, we urge the Department to use all available tools to defend democratic institutions and deter further erosion. This includes consideration of visa restriction authority underSection 7031(c) for officials involved in significant corruption, and evaluation for accountability under Global Magnitskyauthorities for those responsible for gross violations and undermining democratic processes.

Albania’s future as a stable, democratic, and Euro-Atlantic partner depends on the independence of SPAK and the courts. The United States has invested heavily in building these institutions; we cannot now remain silent as they are undermined from within.

We request a briefing on the Department’s assessment and planned actions within 30 days. Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter.

Joe Wilson

Joe Wilson

CO-CHAIRMAN

Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (U.S. Helsinki Commission)

Keith Self

CHAIRMAN

Subcommittee on Europe, Committee on Foreign Affairs

CC: Hon. James Risch, Hon. Jeanne Shaheen, Hon. Brian Mast

KEY FACTS • AT A GLANCE

AMERICAN
CONGRESSMEN:
KEITH SELF & JOE WILSON

CLASSIFICATION ALERT

“ALBANIA IS ALREADY AN ELECTORAL AUTOCRACY”

SOURCE: V-DEM 2026 • DEMOCRACY REPORT

SUBJECT

Democracy & Rule of Law in Albania

INDICTED OFFICIAL

Deputy PM Belinda Balluku (SPAK case)

ALLEGED OBSTRUCTION

SHISH Chief Vlora Hyseni

U.S. TOOLS CITED

7031(c) visa bans, Global Magnitsky

WHY THIS MATTERS

• NATO Ally + EU candidate – democratic backsliding threatens regional stability
• SPAK is U.S.-supported flagship anti-corruption institution
• Precedent for Western Balkans kleptocracy accountability

DOCUMENT TYPE

Official Congressional Letter

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ORIGINAL PAGES — ARCHIVE

Click to enlarge

High-resolution scans of the signed correspondence transmitted to State on Oct 22, 2026.

15

Sources & Footnotes (Page 3)

V-Dem, OCCRP, RSF, State Dept, SPAK statements, 7031(c) etc.

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PREPARED FOR PUBLIC DISSEMINATION • NOT CLASSIFIEDOCTOBER 2026

This presentation preserves the substantive content of the Congressional letter while enhancing readability for press and public