Former New York City Mayor Eric Adams declared on Friday that he has acquired citizenship in Albania, moving closer to his desire of stepping away from politics for a life overseas. Adams, a Democrat, was granted the honorary citizenship upon his request by the country’s president, Bajram Begaj, as reported by the Albanian press.
Expressing his gratitude on social media, Adams stated, “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.” Highlighting the strong Albanian community in NYC, Adams acknowledged shared values like family, resilience, entrepreneurship, and community commitment.
The former mayor, known for his international outlook, has previously shown interest in Albania, where his son participated in a local talent show. With plans to distance himself from New York, Adams mentioned potential retirement locations like Baku and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.
Despite facing scrutiny in the past for international trips, Adams denied allegations of impropriety and had discussions about a possible ambassadorship, which did not materialize. Recently, he visited Albania on a paid trip and mentioned ventures in Dubai, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Senegal.
Adams’ foray into cryptocurrency to combat prejudice faced criticism after significant losses in value. The former mayor’s post-office activities and future plans remain under observation.
