Rama II Government

The second Government of Prime Minister Edi Rama was the 66th ruling Government of the Republic of Albania which was officially mandated by the President on 13 September 2017. Following the 2017 election, the Socialist Party won a majority of seats to Parliament and had the right to form the government without the need of a coalition.

Rama II Government
66th Government of Albania
2017‒2021
Date formed	13 September 2017 (2017-09-13)
Date dissolved	18 September 2021 (2021-09-18)
People and organisations
President	Ilir Meta
Prime Minister	Edi Rama
Deputy Prime Minister	Senida Mesi Erion Braçe
No. of ministers	15[a]
Total no. of members	28[a]
Member parties	PS
Status in legislature	Majority 74 / 140 (52%)
Opposition parties	PD,   LSI,   PSD,   PR,   PDIU,   PAA,   LZHK,   PBDNJ
Opposition leader	Lulzim Basha
History
Election	2017 election
Predecessor	Rama I Government
Successor	Rama III Government

Changes from Previous Cabinet

The previous government was reduced in size and now it consists of 11 ministries and 2 Ministers without portfolio. Half of the cabinet consists of female ministers.^[1] This was a reduction from a previous cabinet with 16 ministries and 3 ministers without portfolio.^[2]

The Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs absorbed the Ministry of European Integration and the Ministry of Infrastructure absorbed the Ministry of Energy.^[2] The Ministry of Finance and Economy took on some of the responsibilities from the dissolved Ministry of Economic Development, Tourism, Trade and Enterprise.^[3] Other responsibilities were taken on by the Ministry of Environment, which was renamed. The Ministry of Social Welfare and Youth was dissolved and its roles divided between the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education and Sport.^[2]

Two "Ministers of State" were created for Diaspora and for Entrepreneurs.^[2]

Cabinet reshuffle

On December 28, 2018, PM Edi Rama reshuffled his cabinet with half of his ministers out, in response to the protests that have exposed the scale of popular discontent with his rule. Most Ministers were replaced by the vice ministers.

The cabinet reshuffle consisted of the Vice Prime Minister office, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Infrastructure, Ministry of Economy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry for Entrepreneurs.^[4]

Cabinet

The second Rama Government on the day he took office consisted of 13 ministers, not including the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister.^[5] Among them, were two ministers without portfolio named "Minister of State" (Ministër Shteti) who will be joined by two others at the end of the term.

Portfolio	Minister	Took office	Left office	Party
Prime Minister	Edi Rama	13 September 2017	18 September 2021		PS
Deputy Prime Minister	Senida Mesi	13 September 2017	17 January 2019		PS
	Erion Braçe	17 January 2019	18 September 2021		PS
Ministry of Finances and Economy	Arben Ahmetaj	13 September 2017	17 January 2019		PS
	Anila Denaj	17 January 2019	18 September 2021		PS
Ministry of Interior	Fatmir Xhafaj	13 September 2017	27 October 2018		PS
	Sandër Lleshaj	23 November 2018	17 December 2020		PS
	Bledar Çuçi	18 December 2020	18 September 2021		PS
Ministry of Defence	Olta Xhaçka	13 September 2017	31 December 2020		PS
	Niko Peleshi	4 January 2021	18 September 2021		PS
Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs	Ditmir Bushati	13 September 2017	18 January 2019		PS
	Edi Rama through Deputy Minister Gent Cakaj	22 January 2019	31 December 2020		PS
	Olta Xhaçka	4 January 2021	18 September 2021		PS
Ministry of Justice	Etilda Gjonaj	13 September 2017	18 September 2021		PS
Minister of Infrastructure and Energy	Damian Gjiknuri	13 September 2017	17 January 2019		PS
	Belinda Balluku	17 January 2019	18 September 2021		PS
Ministry of Education, Sports and Youth	Lindita Nikolla	13 September 2017	17 January 2019		PS
	Besa Shahini	17 January 2019	17 September 2020		PS
	Evis Kushi	24 September 2020	18 September 2021		PS
Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development	Niko Peleshi	13 September 2017	17 January 2019		PS
	Bledar Çuçi	17 January 2019	17 December 2020		PS
	Milva Ekonomi	18 December 2020	18 September 2021		PS
Ministry of Health and Social Protection	Ogerta Manastirliu	13 September 2017	18 September 2021		PS
Ministry of Culture	Mirela Kumbaro (Furxhi)	13 September 2017	17 January 2019		PS
	Elva Margariti	17 January 2019	18 September 2021		PS
Ministry of Tourism and Environment	Blendi Klosi	13 September 2017	18 September 2021		PS
Minister of State for Entrepreneurship Protection	Sonila Qato	13 September 2017	17 January 2019		PS
	Eduard Shalsi	17 January 2019	18 September 2021		PS
Minister of State for Diaspora	Pandeli Majko	13 September 2017	18 September 2021		PS
Minister of State for Relations with Parliament	Elisa Spiropali	17 January 2019	18 September 2021		PS
Minister of State for Reconstruction[b]	Arben Ahmetaj	20 December 2019	18 September 2021		PS

Notes

1. The PM and Deputy Prime Minister are not counted.
2. It was established after the 2019 earthquake to deal with the reconstruction of damage caused to infrastructure, housing, and compensation to people affected by the disaster.