Sali Berisha
Prof. Dr. Sali Berisha | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Berisha in 2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 32nd Prime Minister of Albania | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| In office 8 September 2005 – 11 September 2013 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 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 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3rd President of Albania | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| In office 9 April 1992 – 24 July 1997 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Prime Minister | Aleksandër Meksi Bashkim Fino | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preceded by | Ramiz Alia | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Succeeded by | Rexhep Meidani | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Member of the Albanian Parliament | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Assumed office 10 September 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Constituency | Tirana County | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| In office 23 July 1997 – 20 February 2019 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Constituency | Tirana County (2009-2019) Kavaja (1997-2009) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| In office 15 April 1991 – 9 April 1992 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Constituency | Kavaja | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Personal details | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | Sali Ram Berisha 15 October 1944 Viçidol, Tropojë, Albania | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Political party | Democratic | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other political affiliations | Party of Labour (1968–1990) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Spouse | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Children | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Education | University of Tirana (MD) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Occupation |
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| Signature | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Website | sali-berisha.com | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Sali Berisha ([saˈli bɛˈɾiʃa] ⓘ; born 15 October 1944) is an Albanian cardiologist and conservative politician who served as the president of Albania from 1992 to 1997 and as the 32nd prime minister of Albania from 2005 to 2013. Berisha has served as Chairman of the Democratic Party of Albania since 2022. He has previously held the position of chairman from 1990 to 1992 and 1997 to 2013. He is the leader of opposition in Albania.
Under the Biden Administration, he was barred from entering the United States under Section 7031(c)(1)(A) of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 due to accusations of 'involvement in significant corruption' and ties to organized crime groups and criminals deemed a 'risk to public safety in Albania. Berisha is also sanctioned by the United Kingdom.
Despite major speculation to the contrary, backed by a tweet made by journalist Marc Caputo regarding Sali Berisha's "non grata" status in the United States, Berisha is still barred from entering the United States as of May 9, 2025.
On 9 September 2021, Berisha was expelled by party chairman Lulzim Basha from the Democratic Party's Parliamentary Group due to legal issues with the US Department of State. This decision led to 79-year-old Berisha starting a nation-wide movement to remove Basha as leader of the Democratic Party, causing a major rift in the party's internal structures, between Berisha's and Basha's supporters.
On 30 December 2023, Berisha was placed under house arrest due to alleged corruption during his term as Prime Minister. He was released following a court order on 27 November 2024.