Former NYC Mayor Eric Adams becomes an honorary Albanian citizen
Former New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced Friday that he had become a citizen of Albania, putting him one step closer to his oft-repeated dream of leaving politics behind for a life abroad.
Adams, a Democrat, received the honorary citizenship "at his request," according to an official decree from the country's president, Bajram Begaj.
The news was first reported in the Albanian press.
"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," Adams wrote on social media. "NYC is home to one of the strongest Albanian communities in America, hardworking, proud, and deeply rooted in our city. I accept this honor on their behalf and in recognition of the shared values that connect us: family, resilience, entrepreneurship, and a commitment to community."
Adams called it a "meaningful recognition," adding, "New York is the global capital, and this only strengthens the bridge between our communities."
Adams, who once described himself as an "international mayor," has previously expressed an affinity for the small Balkan nation. His adult son lived in the country while competing in Albania's version of "American Idol." Adams traveled there himself in October — one of several international trips taken in his final months in office.
The purpose, he said at the time, was "to say hello to a friend and learn from a friend and build a relationship with a friendship that will not allow our oceans or seas to divide us."
It wasn't immediately clear what, if anything, Adams planned to do with his new citizenship. But he has previously expressed a desire to move far from his hometown of New York City.
"When I retire from government, I'm going to live in Baku," Adams, then Brooklyn Borough President, said at an event honoring the Azerbaijan community in 2018. A few years later, in an interview with a Jewish publication, Adams said he would like to retire in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.
As mayor, Adams' penchant for international trips to Turkey prompted a federal indictment focused, in part, on allegations that he accepted improper travel benefits from foreign nationals.
Adams denied the allegations, and the case was later ordered dropped by President Donald Trump's Justice Department. Adams later met with Trump administration officials about the possibility of taking an ambassadorship, which did not materialize.
Shortly after dropping his ailing bid for reelection, Adams embarked on a four-day trip to Albania, meeting with the country's Prime Minister Edi Rama and members of his Cabinet, along with local business leaders. The trip was paid for in part by the Albanian government.
Since leaving office, Adams has been spotted in Dubai and the Democratic Republic of Congo. He also told reporters that he planned to fly to Senegal for a business opportunity, which he declined to discuss further.
In January, he launched a cryptocurrency coin that he said would beat back antisemitism and "anti-Americanism," but it drew scrutiny after losing millions of dollars in value.