On Sunday the Albania It will hold the first parliamentary elections since the country officially launched accession negotiations with the European Union in July 2022. Prime Minister Edi Rama and the ruling Socialist Party (SP) are both aimed at a historic fourth term.

In the meantime, the opposition remains fragmented, with the Democratic Party (DP) being the second stronger political force, followed by a series of smaller political parties and movements. Voting is widely regarded as a decisive moment for Albania’s democratic course, its commitment to the fight against corruption and its long -term ambition to join the EU.

A total of 3.7 million Albanian citizens have the right to elect 140 members of Parliament – with the Albanian diaspora participating in the vote for the first time.

With a look at Europe

The Socialist Party began its election campaign on the afternoon of April 12, with a symbolism full of symbolism. The inaugural event at Skenderbei Square included a scene designed to resemble the EU flag with 12 stars, stressing the central message of the party, namely that integration into the EU remains its main political goal. The pre -election slogan – “Albania 2030 in the EU” – further emphasizes this message. “Only we keep the European future of Albania in our hands,” Prime Minister Rama said, urging voters to support SP.

Can SP guarantee integration into the EU?

However, political analysts argue that EU integration is primarily a technical process based on the fulfillment of specific criteria required by Brussels by the candidate countries. These criteria go beyond political slogans and require sustainable institutional reform. “The use of EU integration as a pre -election message hurts the true meaning of the process, because Albania has to implement reforms, build a functional rule of law, fight corruption and pass through a wide social transformation,” the politician told DW.

“This promise is a spectacular approach,” says Elvin Lucou, a professor of communication at the University of Tirana. “Twelve years in power have exhausted this government, so the promise of a European Union passport seems to be the only option left to boost the campaign.”

A ‘united’ divided opposition

“This is the strongest coalition that Albania has seen for 32 years,” said Sali Berisha, a former Prime Minister and leader of the Democratic Party (DP) in March, as he presented the “alliance for a magnificent Albania”.

In an effort to gain the confidence and support of voters on May 11, this alliance promises to improve the standard of living of citizens, with proposals such as increasing average salary to 1,200 euros and increasing pensions by 20%. However, after 12 years in the opposition and with several internal disputes, contradictions continue.

Corruption Categories

Although the liberation of Berisha from home restraint, after the corruption charges against him by Albanian judicial power, he has briefly rejuvenated the DP base, the former prime minister remains under investigation into his homeland and in the United States and by the United States and by the United States. scene. Berisha’s ally, Ilir Meta, a former president and leader of the Freedom Party, remains in detail, as he was arrested in 2024 on charges of corruption and money laundering.

According to Krasniki, the list of candidates involved in the opposition clearly shows that the objective of the opposition is to ensure immunity and protection for persons under investigation rather than reform.

New parties seek to shake waters

In a electoral landscape dominated by SP and DP for a long time, many new parties have entered the race, hoping to offer a reform alternative. Among them is Levizja Bashke (the movement together), a left -wing movement with political activism, Shqipëria Behet (making Albania), a party born of defense against corruption, and Mundesia (the opportunity), which is led by the businessman.

While the first polls show that these new parties have a limited chance of being significant, analysts see their participation as a positive development for the Albanian Republic. “For the first time, we see new parties that are not just old offshoots, but that offer voters alternatives. This helps for a political scene less centralized, “says Krasniki.

Parade of ‘Criminal’ on lists

Albania’s main political parties in the last days of the Sunday parliamentary campaign promised to strengthen the rule of law and fight corruption. But their candidates are telling a different story. Both the ruling Socialist Party and the opposition Democratic Party have included candidates under investigation by the special structure of the fight against corruption and Albanian SPAK.

According to data from Qendresa Qyteti, an urban organization that controls public integrity, 15 candidates from SP and DP are under investigation, seven of whom have been placed in secure elaborate positions.

While these nominations do not technically violate the law, political analysts argue that they undermine the judicial system. “The inclusion by the big criminal investigation parties is a step back to the Republic in Albania,” says Rigels Tsemolari, executive director of Qendresa Qyteti. “Some of the names on the lists are members of families of well -known criminal persons or people who had previously been removed from politics in accordance with a relevant law on politics,” he added.

Polarization and disbelief

Chemolari warns that if these candidates are elected to parliament, they could play an important role in undermining the judicial system. Meanwhile, SPAK has announced that it is currently investigating 35 cases of criminal offenses. According to a report by the OSCE Democratic Institutions and Human Rights Office, the political environment is characterized by a “high degree of polarization and mistrust between the two main parties”, which raises concerns about the fair conduct of the process.

Curated by: Costas Argyros