The former mayor of New York, Eric Adams, surprised the public with the decision to take Albanian citizenship, and then to formally register as a resident of a municipality in Tirana. With this, he became a full citizen of Albania, with all the rights that implies – from living and working in the country, to the possibility of voting and running in elections. However, the most important question still has no clear answer: why did he do it?
According to Politico, Adams has already provided biometric data and registered his residence, but local authorities did not want to reveal whether he actually plans to live in Tirana or what his motives are. Florian Pulazi, an official of the municipality where he is registered, only said that this move reflects the “long and deep ties between the city of New York and the Albanian community in the USA,” while describing Adams as a “great friend of Albanians.”
His new status has opened space for various speculations. One of them was that he could run for mayor of Tirana, especially at a time when the current mayor, Erion Veliaj, has been in prison for a long time due to corruption charges. However, people close to Adams claim that this is not in the plan and that the reasons are much more pragmatic – business interests and connections he has in Albania. One source explained it figuratively with the words: “I think he has better options, to put it that way.”
Adams did not comment on these allegations.
Honored to accept honorary Albanian citizenship, not just as a personal distinction, but as a reflection of the deep and lasting bond between New York City and the Albanian people.
— Eric Adams (@ericadamsfornyc) April 10, 2026
NYC is home to one of the strongest Albanian communities in America, hardworking, proud, and… pic.twitter.com/cDiHABY9ke
His political career in the USA ended at the end of 2025, after a mandate marked by corruption allegations and controversial international ties. In a 2024 indictment, he was accused of favoring people connected to the Turkish government in exchange for bribes, such as cheap plane tickets and luxury travel. However, the case was later dismissed, and the judge noted at the time that it all “looks like a deal” between Donald Trump and the former mayor.
Adams’ connection with Albania dates back to October 2025, when as mayor he visited Tirana and met with Prime Minister Edi Rama. At that time, they discussed tourism, business cooperation, and the possible introduction of a direct flight to New York. Adams then praised the development of the Albanian capital, calling it a “thriving community and a city moving in the right direction,” adding: “I wanted to come here and learn more about technology, about how this Prime Minister managed to carry out a revolution of this country and city.”
At the beginning of April this year, it became clear that the relations had gone a step further – the President of Albania, Bajram Begaj, granted him citizenship by a special decree. Such a procedure is used in exceptional cases, but it was not explained what specific merits Adams had to receive it.
The climax of the whole story happened at the Diaspora Summit in Tirana, where Adams was formally presented with an Albanian passport. Prime Minister Rama said on that occasion: “Albanians would say: I knew this would happen, but actually, no one expected it to really happen that the former mayor of New York would become a citizen of Tirana and a citizen of Albania.”
Adams, visibly satisfied, accepted the passport and said: “I love being an American, but today, thanks to your Prime Minister, I am also an Albanian.”
Despite the ceremony and symbolism, the specific reason for such a move remains unknown – between political ambitions, business interests, and personal ties, the answers are still in the realm of speculation.
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Source: Nova.rs, Photo: Printscreen Youtube