By Sebi Alla – On April 4, Albanian-American Nuredin Seci, president of the firm ‘Continental Strategy LLC’, Carlo Trujillo (former advisor and lawyer to former US President Donald Trump), and the Democratic Party’s General Secretary, Flamur Noka, signed a service contract, with the Democratic Party as the beneficiary.
Contract
The contract is valued at $250,000 per month, and the parties agreed it would last up to 24 months, with the possibility of terminating the contract at any time, provided all signatories consent. The lobbying firm ‘Continental Strategy LLC’ commits to providing the Democratic Party and its leaders access to the American political elite, particularly congressmen, as well as other services such as anti-corruption initiatives or government reforms aligned with Albania-US relations. The disclosure of this contract three weeks before the election triggered mutual accusations and responses from the parties involved. Political entities, the Central Election Commission (CEC), and SPAK reacted in different ways, but what is clear from the contract so far is the PD’s aim to gain greater access in the US through a company led by individuals who have been, and some still are, part of former President Donald Trump’s team.
Reactions
At the peak of the election campaign, Prime Minister Edi Rama seized the opportunity to cast doubt on both the source of the 6 million euro sum, according to him, and the purpose behind it. ‘A 6-million-euro contract has been made, supposedly by patriots. Remember last time, poor Luli was torn apart over 500 thousand, and he said the same: Some patriots gathered. But 6 million euros to remove the stigma of a person declared persona non grata is truly a lot, not to mention the question: Where did all that money come from? And how is it possible that just because of one person’s issue, more money is spent than what the entire Albanian state gives to all political parties combined? Rama said.
Financial Burden
The Democratic Party issued an official statement highlighting that PD carries no financial burden for this contract, as the funding was secured by ‘Albanian patriots’ living in the United States. ‘The financial contribution to accomplish this goal has been fully covered (100%) by Albanian patriots who have lived and worked in the US for decades, as well as other Democrats who have left Albania in the last 10 years due to Edi Rama’s regime’, reads the official PD statement. Additionally, the political party emphasizes that the Albanian-American community, through the foundation ‘Make Albania Great Again’ contracted the ‘Continental’ company to help strengthen the friendly relations of the Democratic Party, as the largest opposition force, with the US Congress and government. ‘The goal of our compatriots in the US is to support PD’s collaboration with Albania’s main ally to restore functional democracy and the rule of law in Albania’ the statement says.
Financial Terms
According to the contract, the company ‘Continental Strategy LLC,’ led by Carlo Trujillo, has already received a three-month advance payment amounting to 750,000 dollars. ‘The client (through its Guarantor) agrees to pay the firm a monthly retainer of 250,000 dollars for a comprehensive support package covering lobbying initiatives, advocacy, and strategic legal matters for a period of 24 months (‘monthly guarantee’) and in accordance with the Term of the Agreement. Payment for the first three months (advance) will be made upon signing this Agreement’, the contract states. The agreement becomes effective upon signing and will automatically renew monthly thereafter, unless one party provides written notice of non-renewal/termination at least 30 days before the expiration date. After the initial 60 days of the contract, either party may give written notice of non-renewal/termination at least 30 days prior to the proposed end date’, the contract states.
Independent institutions are monitoring
A few hours after the contract’s publication, even though it was a day off (last Sunday), SPAK announced that it has initiated checks on this contract involving three parties and the legality of the funding sources for the service specified in the contract. ‘The Special Prosecution has started verifications related to the lobbying contract of the political subject Democratic Party’, read the statement shared by SPAK with the media via the WhatsApp application. Meanwhile, the Central Election Commission appears more constrained, specifying according to the law that coalitions have up to 60 days after the announcement of election results to submit their income and expenditures. Chief Commissioner Ilirian Celibashi, responding to media questions about the Democratic Party’s lobbying contract in the USA, said: ‘There is no obligation at this time to submit income and expenses as an electoral subject, which means we do not have this contract and there is no obligation, as has been asked, ‘why hasn’t this contract been requested by us.’ But once we have it, we will provide our explanation regarding this contract’, said Celibashi.
Conclusion
The contract does not explicitly state that the lobbying is for the removal of the ‘non grata’ sanction on the Democratic Party leader, Sali Berisha, although this is indirectly suggested since one of the contract’s clauses indicates that the lobbying firm will facilitate access for the Democratic Party and its leaders (including Sali Berisha as leader) to the American political elite.
Additionally, according to the contract, the sum of 6 million dollars was not agreed upon; instead, an advance payment was made for the first three months of lobbying services, and the parties have the option to terminate the contract by mutual agreement with at least one month’s prior notice. For these reasons, Prime Minister Edi Rama’s statement that 6 million euros were given to remove the ‘non grata’ status is partially accurate.
