# Two House Republicans Ask Rubio to Consider Visa Bans on Albanian Officials Tied to Corruption as Protests Continue

Fox News has the letter from Reps. Joe Wilson and Keith Self, who want answers by Nov. 5. Prime Minister Edi Rama has refused to resign and blames 'foreign hands.'

- Section: [World](https://rightnewsrightnow.com/world/)
- Published: 2026-10-29
- By: RightNewsRightNow Staff
- Canonical page: https://rightnewsrightnow.com/articles/gop-lawmakers-wilson-self-urge-rubio-visa-restrictions-albania-corruption-rama-protests-fox-news/

Congress is pressing the State Department over a NATO ally, Fox News reports in an exclusive.

The letter. Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., and Rep. Keith Self, R-Texas, who chairs the House Europe Subcommittee, wrote to Secretary of State Marco Rubio about "democratic backsliding" in Albania. They say progress on justice reform "is fragile and, in key areas, at risk of reversal." They ask him to use Section 7031(c) of the annual State Department appropriations law to publicly name Albanian officials, and family members if needed, where there is credible evidence of significant corruption. They want four questions answered by Nov. 5.

The other questions. The lawmakers ask what aid the U.S. gives Albanian justice reform and whether the embassy in Tirana is working with local officials to protect protesters and journalists. They also want an update on former Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku, who is charged with interfering in public procurement for road construction. Prosecutors asked parliament in December 2025 to lift her immunity so she could be arrested. Prime Minister Edi Rama called the request unconstitutional, and parliament has not allowed the arrest.

The protests. Fox says demonstrations in Tirana began about two weeks ago and demand Rama's resignation, driven by students and others over corruption, education and jobs. Some turned violent, with Molotov cocktails thrown at the Education Ministry and clashes with riot police at the Socialist Party headquarters. Rama blamed "foreign hands who do not want Albania in the European Union" and said the masked groups claiming to be students "represent organized crime itself." He has refused to resign but offered dialogue.

The comparison. Former Albanian ambassador Agim Nesho drew a parallel with Serbia, where a student-led movement toppled Aleksandar Vucic's party.

Note for readers: these are the lawmakers' views and a former Albanian ambassador's. Fox reports Rama's earlier remarks but no State Department reply to the letter.

## Source

Original reporting: [Fox News](https://www.foxnews.com/world/gop-lawmakers-urge-rubio-weigh-visa-restrictions-corrupt-officials-albania-rocked-protests)