# Sali Berisha **Sali Berisha** (b. 1944) is Albania's dominant right-wing political figure of the post-communist era — president (1992–1997), prime minister (2005–2013), and long-time leader of the Democratic Party of Albania. Designated persona non grata by the U.S. State Department in May 2021 under Section 7031(c) for "significant corruption," he hired Trump-world firm [[Continental Strategy]] on a $6 million contract and imported [[Chris LaCivita]] to run his 2025 campaign; he lost the election but got the sanctions reversal in June 2026. Full arc documented in [[Albania]]. ## See Also - [[Albania]] - [[Continental Strategy]] - [[Edi Rama]]