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From the entrepreneur who challenged the oligarchs to the party founder; could Agron Shehaj be the new leader of the conservative right?
The national poll by the American company "McLaughlin and Associates" highlights a new political situation in Albania, which contradicts European polls. This company, known as "Trump's pollster", places Agron Shehaj's "Mundësia" party with a significant margin over the coalition of Adriatik Lapaj and Endri Shabani. In these data, Shehaj's "Mundësia" has 5.3%, while the Lapaj-Shabani coalition only 3.3%.
The results of May 11 will show the accuracy of this perception, but despite this, the sudden emergence of Agron Shehaj as a political actor with his own party constitutes a novelty.
Shehaj was elected as a DP MP for two consecutive terms, first in the Vlora district and then in Tirana. He is publicly known for two main reasons: first, for his profile as a successful businessman in the call center sector, mainly with Italian companies, and second, as a strong whistleblower against oligarchs, in particular against Bashkim Ulaj, to whom he exposed the falsification of documents in the Grand Ring Road tender.
Unlike some opposition leaders who have flirted with oligarchs, Shehaj has not been involved in deals with public money. Instead, he has built his business career in the private sector, creating a wide network of contacts that he has also used politically.
In the 2021 elections, in unit 7 in Tirana, Shehaj achieved a significant result of personal preferences, establishing himself as a powerful figure in the territory.
Shehaj is also known for his philanthropic activities. In addition to donating his salary as a member of parliament to families in need, he finances the "Lumo Skëndo" Cultural Foundation, which promotes the work of Mit'hat Frashëri and other authors censored during communism. He also finances the "Kujtesa" Foundation, which documents the crimes and persecutions of the communist dictatorship, and provides financial assistance to families and children with special needs.
However, how far can businessman and philanthropist Agron Shehaj turn into a significant political leader? This is still an open debate. So far, Shehaj has been seen more as a good communicator and user of technology, but he has yet to present a clear platform on key issues of the conservative right, such as property and the deep reform of their administration.
A new right-wing party cannot remain without touching on fundamental issues such as the infamous Law 7501 or the unfair distribution of property. To be a serious opposition force, Shehaj must have a clearer and broader political project, beyond the individual aspect of his personal success and philanthropy.
Agron Shehaj may be a potential leader for the future of the opposition today, but to move from politician to leader, he must build a team of professionals and real politicians who support him. If he does not take a decisive step in this direction, his party may have relative success, but it will be no more than a "small party."
The best example for Shehaj may be that of Giorgia Meloni in Italy. Her initially small party became the undisputed leader of the Italian conservative right thanks to a clear political program and a strong team of experts and professionals. Agron Shehaj must also walk this path, if he wants to be more than just a popular politician./ Pamphlet
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