The Albanian Parliament has opened the work of its 11th legislature with the election of Niko Peleshi as the new Speaker. Peleshi assumed the role this Friday, during the first plenary session, where he delivered an extended address before MPs, the diplomatic corps, and representatives of institutions.

“The trust you have given me today is a great honor and responsibility,” Peleshi stated, emphasizing that he would exercise this duty with humility and full dedication.

He thanked Prime Minister Edi Rama and the Socialist Party for the nomination and support, describing the moment as historic for the country.

In his speech, Peleshi placed European integration at the center of the legislature’s priorities. He described the path toward the EU as “the final and most anticipated segment” of the Albanian people’s dream.

“Just as the first pluralist Parliament in the 1990s laid the foundations of democracy, today it is our turn to open Albania’s doors to the European family,” he declared.

The new Speaker called on MPs to engage in building a new political culture, stressing the need for constructiveness and moving away from the language of hate.

He pledged to respect all political forces, regardless of their position in the vote, and to guarantee the necessary legal space for MPs’ activities.

Peleshi underlined the need to strengthen the rule of law, support the new justice institutions, and ensure government oversight by Parliament. He vowed to deliver a more modern, efficient, and open Parliament, with digitalization and internal reform as top priorities.

In this regard, he announced a review of the parliamentary rules of procedure and the organization of committees, as part of preparations to meet the standards of a European parliament by 2030.

Peleshi also stressed the importance of parliamentary diplomacy, announcing deeper cooperation with EU institutions, the U.S. Congress, and parliaments of member states.

He also highlighted the need to strengthen ties with Kosovo’s Parliament and with Albanian MPs across the region, to ensure the rights of Albanians and stability in the Western Balkans.

Concluding his speech, Peleshi emphasized national unity in the face of major challenges:

“In the face of great national challenges, we are not majority or opposition — we are sons and daughters of the same Albania, sailing toward the same destination.”