Sali Berisha facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Prof. Dr. Sali Berisha
Sali Berisha
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Berisha in 2008
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| President of Albania | |
| In office 9 April 1992 – 24 July 1997 |
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| Prime Minister | Vilson Ahmeti Aleksandër Meksi Bashkim Fino |
| Preceded by | Ramiz Alia |
| Succeeded by | Rexhep Meidani |
| 32nd Prime Minister of Albania | |
| In office 8 September 2005 – 11 September 2013 |
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| President | Alfred Moisiu Bamir Topi Bujar Nishani |
| Deputy | Ilir Rusmali Gazmend Oketa Genc Pollo Ilir Meta Edmond Haxhinasto Myqerem Tafaj |
| Preceded by | Fatos Nano |
| Succeeded by | Edi Rama |
| Leader of the Democratic Party | |
| Assumed office 22 May 2022 |
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| Preceded by | Lulzim Basha |
| In office July 1997 – June 2013 |
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| Preceded by | Tritan Shehu |
| Succeeded by | Lulzim Basha |
| In office 1990–1992 |
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| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | Eduard Selami |
| Leader of the Opposition | |
| Assumed office 22 May 2022 |
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| Preceded by | Lulzim Basha |
| In office 1997–2005 |
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| Preceded by | Fatos Nano |
| Succeeded by | Edi Rama |
| In office 1991–1992 |
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| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | Fatos Nano |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Sali Ram Berisha
15 October 1944 Viçidol, Tropojë, Albania |
| Political party | Party of Labour (1968–1990) Democratic Party (1990–present) |
| Spouse |
Liri Ramaj
(m. 1971) |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | University of Tirana (MD) |
| Signature | .svg) |
Sali Ram Berisha (born 15 October 1944) is an Albanian doctor and politician. He served as the President of Albania from 1992 to 1997. Later, he became the 32nd Prime Minister of Albania from 2005 to 2013. Berisha has also been the leader of the Democratic Party of Albania at different times, including since 2022. He is currently the leader of the opposition in Albania.
Recently, Berisha has faced some legal challenges. In 2021, he was removed from his party's group in parliament due to concerns raised by the US Department of State. This led to a big disagreement within the Democratic Party. In late 2023, he was temporarily restricted from leaving his home due to ongoing legal questions from his time as Prime Minister. He was released in late 2024.
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Early Life and Education
Sali Berisha was born in 1944 in a village called Viçidol in northern Albania. His family were farmers. As a child, he helped by looking after sheep.
He studied medicine at the University of Tirana and graduated in 1967. He then specialized in heart medicine (cardiology) in Paris, France, for a year. After returning to Albania, he became a professor at the University of Tirana and a heart doctor at the Tirana General Hospital.
During the 1970s, Berisha became a leading researcher in cardiology in Albania. In 1978, he received a special scholarship from UNESCO to study more in Paris. He also did important research on how blood flows in the body, which got attention from other doctors in Europe. In 1986, he joined the European Committee for Research on Medical Sciences.
In the late 1980s, Berisha started speaking out for more freedom in Albania. He asked for people to have the right to travel freely and for Albania to be less isolated from other countries. He also called for a new democratic constitution and for old monuments of Stalin to be removed.
In 1990, Berisha became a key figure in the new Democratic Party of Albania (DP). This was the first major opposition party in the country. He was formally chosen as the party's leader in 1991. He was elected as a member of the Albanian parliament several times.
President (1992–1997)
After the elections in 1992, Sali Berisha was elected President of Albania on 9 April 1992. He was the first non-Communist leader of Albania in 53 years.
As president, Berisha and his government started many important changes. They privatized (sold to private owners) land, homes, and state-owned businesses. Prices and exchange rates were made free. Albania's economy improved, with high growth rates.
Albania also started to connect more with Western countries. It joined the Partnership for Peace in 1994 and became a member of the Council of Europe in 1995.
Towards the end of 1996, a financial crisis happened in Albania. Many people lost their savings in investment schemes. This led to public unrest and protests. Despite the difficulties, Sali Berisha was re-elected president in March 1997. However, the situation worsened, and international forces had to step in to help. After new elections in June 1997, Berisha stepped down as president on 23 July 1997. He was replaced by Rexhep Meidani.
Opposition Leader (1997–2005)
After leaving the presidency, Berisha became the leader of the Democratic Party again. This party was now the main opposition party.
In 1998, there were protests in Tirana following a political event. These events led to some violence. The government accused Berisha of being involved, but no charges were laid against him.
Berisha continued to lead the Democratic Party in elections. In 2004, he organized large protests, asking the then-Prime Minister to resign. This movement was known as "Nano Go Away."
Prime Minister (2005–2013)
In the 2005 parliamentary elections, Sali Berisha led a group of parties that won enough seats to form a government. He became the Prime Minister of Albania on 8 September 2005.
In June 2007, Berisha met with U.S. President George W. Bush in Tirana. Bush was the first U.S. president to visit Albania. He showed strong support for the independence of neighboring Kosovo.
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In March 2008, a serious incident happened when an ammunition storage site exploded near Tirana. This event caused casualties and led to the resignation of the Defense Minister.
In the 2009 elections, Berisha's party won again, but they needed to form a coalition with another party to stay in power. This was the first time since 1991 that a ruling party in Albania had to form a coalition.
During his time as Prime Minister, many roads were built in Albania. One of the most important projects was the "Nation Road," which connected Kosovo with the city of Durrës. This was a very large road project for Albania.
In January 2011, protests in front of the government building in Tirana turned violent, and sadly, some people lost their lives. The European Union asked both sides to avoid violence. Berisha stated that these events were part of an attempt to overthrow his government.
Under Berisha's leadership, Albania also made progress in sustainable development. In 2012, the country was ranked highly for its environmental performance. By 2012, Albania was producing most of its energy from renewable hydropower sources. For his work in this area, he received the Fray International Sustainability Award in 2012.
After his party lost the 2013 parliamentary election, Berisha resigned as party leader but remained a member of parliament.
Opposition Leader (2022–Present)
In 2021, Sali Berisha was removed from the Democratic Party's parliamentary group by the party leader, Lulzim Basha. This decision caused a big split within the party. Berisha and his supporters started a movement to remove Basha as leader.
In December 2021, Berisha's supporters voted to remove Basha. In January 2022, protests took place outside the Democratic Party headquarters, which became violent.
On 21 March 2022, Lulzim Basha stepped down as party leader. Berisha was then elected as the new leader. On 7 July 2022, he organized protests against the Albanian government over prices and wages.
In December 2022, during a protest, Berisha was assaulted. Many political figures condemned the attack, and Berisha himself forgave the person who assaulted him.
In June 2024, a court officially recognized Berisha as the Chairman of the Democratic Party.
Personal Life
Sali Berisha is married to Liri Berisha (née Ramaj), who is a children's doctor. Liri Berisha leads the Albanian Children Foundation, which helps children with conditions like autism and Down syndrome. They have two children: a daughter, Argita Malltezi, who is a law professor, and a son, Shkëlzen Berisha.
In October 2023, Berisha's son-in-law, Jamarbër Malltezi, faced legal questions. Berisha also faced questions related to these matters. He has strongly denied any wrongdoing and believes the accusations are politically motivated.
Sanctions
In May 2021, the US Department of State announced that Sali Berisha, his wife, son, and daughter were not allowed to enter the United States. The US Secretary of State stated that Berisha was involved in actions that affected public trust in government.
Berisha has disagreed with these claims. He believes the decision was based on wrong information and was influenced by political reasons.
In July 2022, the British embassy in Tirana also announced actions against several Albanian individuals, including Berisha. This action was taken due to concerns about links to certain activities.
Honours and Awards
- 1996 – Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic
- 2009 – Doctor Honoris Causa (an honorary degree) from the University of Pristina
- 2009 – Doctor Honoris Causa from the International University of Struga
- 2012 – Honorary Citizen of Deçan, Kosovo
- 2013 – Honorary Citizen of Prizren, Kosovo
- 2013 – Honorary Citizen of Debar, North Macedonia
- 2015 – National Flag Order (Albania), awarded by President Bujar Nishani
See also
- List of presidents of Albania
- Fall of communism in Albania
Images for kids
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Berisha meeting with Jadranka Kosor and Borut Pahor
