# Rama I Government

The first Government of Prime Minister Edi Rama was the 65th ruling Government of the Republic of Albania formed on 15 September 2013.
Following the 2013 election, the Socialist Party-led Alliance for a European Albania won a majority of seats to Parliament and formed the government. There is a record, six women in the government, which is a regional precedent as well. Rama said: "A team has been built with almost 90 percent of people sitting for the first time in the ministerial chair and probably with more women that all the governments of Albania have had all together in these 20 years."

## Issues

Amongst its first issues was a reshuffling of the domestic security infrastructure boost security and combat an increasing crime rate. In announcing the change, Rama said "We have inherited a security situation unthinkable for a country that is not in a state of war or armed conflict." The changes entailed a less centralised in order to be closer to the community. In this regard, the number of high-ranking officers was reduced from 811 to 255, the head of the General Directorate of Police Hysni Burgaj was replaced by former special forces commander Artan Didi and the heads of the police in the 12 administrative regions were also replaced, while units like the traffic police were disbanded.
Looking to gain membership to the European Union, it has gained the support of former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, he becoming an advisor to the government. It has also gained the support of the multiple EU governments to help propel it forward towards EU integration.
On 16 October 2013 the European Commission released its annual reports on prospective member states which concluded that the Albanian election was held in an "orderly manner" and that progress had been made in meeting other conditions and as such recommended granting Albania candidate status. On 5 December 2013 in an MEP meeting it was recommended that "...the Council should acknowledge the progress made by Albania by granting it candidate status without undue delay." However, several states, including Denmark and the Netherlands, remained opposed to granting Albania candidate status, and at a December 2013 meeting the Council of the European Union put off the decision until June 2014.
As done during his tenure as Mayor of Tirana, Rama stresses the modernization of public services and has started the process of modernizing and restoring customs and also employed the English "Crown Agents", to help reform the customs. Also done when mayor, the demolition of buildings by the NUCI, the National Urban Construction Institution, is an important matter for keeping the coast and Albania authentic.

## Cabinet

The first Rama Government on the day he took office consisted of 19 ministers, not including the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister.
| Portfolio | Minister | Took office | Left office | Party |
| Prime Minister | Edi Rama | 15 September 2013 | 13 September 2017 | PS |
| Deputy Prime Minister | Niko Peleshi | 15 September 2013 | 22 May 2017 | PS |
| Deputy Prime Minister | Ledina Mandia | 22 May 2017 | 13 September 2017 | Independent |
| Ministry of Finances | Shkëlqim Cani | 15 September 2013 | 17 February 2016 | PS |
| Ministry of Finances | Arben Ahmetaj | 26 February 2016 | 22 May 2017 | PS |
| Ministry of Finances | Helga Vukaj | 22 May 2017 | 13 September 2017 | Independent |
| Ministry of Internal Affairs | Saimir Tahiri | 15 September 2013 | 19 March 2017 | PS |
| Ministry of Internal Affairs | Fatmir Xhafaj | 24 March 2017 | 22 May 2017 | PS |
| Ministry of Internal Affairs | Dritan Demiraj | 22 May 2017 | 13 September 2017 | Independent |
| Ministry of Defence | Mimi Kodheli | 15 September 2013 | 13 September 2017 | PS |
| Ministry of Foreign Affairs | Ditmir Bushati | 15 September 2013 | 13 September 2017 | PS |
| Ministry of European Integration | Klajda Gjosha | 15 September 2013 | 13 September 2017 | LSI |
| Ministry of Justice | Nasip Naço | 15 September 2013 | 10 November 2015 | LSI |
| Ministry of Justice | Ylli Manjani | 13 November 2015 | 31 January 2017 | LSI |
| Ministry of Justice | Petrit Vasili | 3 February 2017 | 22 May 2017 | LSI |
| Ministry of Justice | Gazment Bardhi | 22 May 2017 | 13 September 2017 | PD |
| Minister of Transport and Infrastructure | Edmond Haxhinasto | 15 September 2013 | 9 September 2016 | LSI |
| Minister of Transport and Infrastructure | Sokol Dervishaj | 9 September 2016 | 13 September 2017 | LSI |
| Minister of Education and Sports | Lindita Nikolla | 15 September 2013 | 22 May 2017 | PS |
| Minister of Education and Sports | Mirela Karabina | 22 May 2017 | 13 September 2017 | Independent |
| Ministry of Economic Development, Tourism, Trade and Enterprise The Department of Tourism was added to this ministry in February 2015 | Arben Ahmetaj | 15 September 2013 | 17 February 2016 | PS |
| Ministry of Economic Development, Tourism, Trade and Enterprise The Department of Tourism was added to this ministry in February 2015 | Milva Ekonomi | 26 February 2016 | 13 September 2017 | PS |
| Ministry of Urban Development Until February 2015, Ministry of Urban Development and Tourism | Eglantina Gjermeni | 15 September 2013 | 13 September 2017 | PS |
| Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Water Administration | Edmond Panariti | 15 September 2013 | 13 September 2017 | LSI |
| Ministry of Health | Ilir Beqaj | 15 September 2013 | 19 March 2017 | PS |
| Ministry of Health | Ogerta Manastirliu | 24 March 2017 | 22 May 2017 | PS |
| Ministry of Health | Arben Beqiri | 22 May 2017 | 13 September 2017 | Independent |
| Ministry of Social Welfare and Youth | Erion Veliaj | 15 September 2013 | 11 May 2015 | PS |
| Ministry of Social Welfare and Youth | Blendi Klosi | 26 May 2015 | 19 March 2017 | PS |
| Ministry of Social Welfare and Youth | Olta Xhaçka | 24 March 2017 | 22 May 2017 | PS |
| Ministry of Social Welfare and Youth | Xhulieta Kërtusha | 22 May 2017 | 13 September 2017 | Independent |
| Minister of Culture | Mirela Kumbaro | 15 September 2013 | 13 September 2017 | PS |
| Minister of Energy and Industry | Damian Gjiknuri | 15 September 2013 | 13 September 2017 | PS |
| Minister of Environment | Lefter Koka | 15 September 2013 | 13 September 2017 | LSI |
| Minister of State for Relations with Parliament | Ilirjan Celibashi | 15 September 2013 | 14 August 2014 | PS |
| Minister of State for Relations with Parliament | Ermonela Felaj | 27 August 2014 | 13 September 2017 | PS |
| Minister of State for Innovation and Public Administration | Milena Harito | 15 September 2013 | 13 September 2017 | PS |
| Minister of State for Local Affairs | Bledar Çuçi | 15 September 2013 | 19 March 2017 | PS |
| Minister of State for Local Affairs | Eduard Shalsi | 24 March 2017 | 13 September 2017 | PS |