- Albania’s ruling Socialist Party, led by Edi Rama, secures 53% of votes in preliminary count.
- Democratic Party-led coalition trails with 35%, led by former PM Sali Berisha.
- EU membership negotiations, tourism, and economic reforms at the forefront of Rama’s campaign.
Albania’s ruling Socialist Party, led by Prime Minister Edi Rama, is on track to secure a fourth consecutive term. Preliminary election results show them with 53% of the vote.
Rama’s campaign also focused on tourism development, pledging to increase foreign visitors from 10 million in 2024 to 30 million by 2030. The Socialists aim to accomplish this through targeted infrastructure projects. Moreover, they plan to offer a diverse array of tourist destinations.
Edi Rama Eyes Fourth Term as Socialist Party Leads in Albanian Election
The ruling Socialist Party in Albania has taken a commanding lead in the parliamentary election, with 53% of the vote counted so far. Prime Minister Edi Rama is aiming for a fourth term. He is positioning his administration as the driving force behind Albania’s EU accession efforts. Rama emphasized achievements in infrastructure and justice reforms. He is also promising accelerated economic growth and tourism expansion.
Despite the Socialists’ strong lead, the Democratic Party-led coalition, headed by 80-year-old Sali Berisha, has secured 35% of the votes. Berisha, a former president and prime minister, contends that Albania is still unprepared for EU membership. He cites ongoing corruption and governance challenges as major issues.
The election also marked a historic first for Albanian diaspora voters, with 191,000 eligible to participate by mail. Turnout, however, was reported at 42.16%, roughly 4% lower than the previous election. This decline in participation has been attributed to voter fatigue and lingering skepticism about the political process.
Rama’s ambitious economic agenda includes plans to triple foreign tourist arrivals by 2030. His government also pledged pension and pay hikes. These are part of broader efforts to address economic inequality and mitigate the impact of mass emigration. With EU negotiations set to continue until 2027, Rama seeks to consolidate power. He aims to maintain political stability and push through vital reforms.
As Albania inches closer to potential EU membership, Edi Rama’s Socialist Party seeks a renewed mandate. Their goal is to accelerate reforms, bolster economic growth, and secure international credibility.
“For the most part, excluding some sporadic cases, the process has been in line with the rules and standards,” said Ilirjan Celibashi, head of the Central Election Commission.
