Eric Adams Receives Albanian Citizenship
Former New York City mayor Eric Adams has been granted citizenship and a passport from Albania, according to reports released on Friday from the Balkan nation. This development follows Adams' earlier visit to the country, during which he expressed high praise for Albania.
The Albania Daily News first reported that Adams had applied for and been granted citizenship through a special decree issued by the republic’s president, Bajram Begaj. Euronews Albania also confirmed the news, noting that the decree was officially documented in the nation’s government journal.
“I decree granting citizenship … upon … Eric Leroy Adams,”
read an English translation of the journal entry, signed by Begaj.
“This decree shall enter into force immediately and shall be published in [the] official gazette.”
Adams did not immediately provide a comment on Friday regarding his newly acquired Albanian citizenship. However, his previous visit to Albania in October, near the conclusion of his mayoral term, had already attracted media attention.
Adams’ Visit and Diplomatic Engagements in Albania
During his four-day trip, Adams met with Albania’s Prime Minister Edi Rama. The two leaders discussed potential collaborations aimed at strengthening ties in tourism and technology sectors.
Adams also expressed support for establishing a direct flight route between New York and Albania, as reported by the Associated Press. He praised the capital city, Tirana, during his visit.
“You’re seeing a thriving community and city moving in the right direction,”
Adams remarked at the time.
Background on Eric Adams’ Political Career
Eric Adams, a former captain in the New York Police Department (NYPD), served as New York City’s mayor from January 2022 through the end of 2025.
During his tenure, Adams faced a federal corruption investigation but chose not to seek the Democratic nomination for re-election. The case was ultimately dismissed following an unusual intervention by the administration of former President Donald Trump. Adams then attempted to run as an independent candidate but later withdrew from the mayoral race, endorsing former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and criticizing the progressive Democratic nominee, Zohran Mamdani.
At one campaign event endorsing Cuomo, Adams made controversial remarks implying that Mamdani’s election could increase the risk of a terror attack in New York City, though he did not provide detailed explanation.
“I don’t know what is wrong with people,”
Adams said.
Citing recent terrorist incidents in Europe and Africa, he added:
“You see what’s playing out in other countries because of Islamic extremism.”
Ultimately, Mamdani won the election decisively in November and succeeded Adams as New York City’s first Muslim mayor.
Legal Issues and Lawsuit Against Adams
In March, the administration under Mayor Mamdani ceased representing Adams in a lawsuit alleging sexual assault dating back more than 30 years. The lawsuit was filed while Adams was still mayor, under a state law that extended the statute of limitations for sexual assault claims.
Adams has strongly denied the allegations. The plaintiff, who has publicly identified herself as Lorna Beach-Mathura, alleges that Adams demanded sexual favors in exchange for career advancement assistance while they both worked in New York City’s transit police bureau in 1993.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
