Tiranë (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – On Sunday, Albanians will vote to determine if they will grant Prime Minister Edi Rama a fourth term or support his long-time opponent in a pivotal election for the nation’s aspirations to join the European Union.
With a population of 2.8 million and 3.7 million eligible voters—many from the diaspora voting by mail for the first time—the country will elect 140 lawmakers for four-year terms from a pool of 2,046 candidates across 11 political groupings, including three coalitions.
The international community sees the election as a crucial examination of Albania’s fragile institutions after a recent contentious and polarized campaign between Rama and seasoned rival Sali Berisha. More than 2,000 domestic and international observers are set to oversee the voting, which will take place from 7:00 am (0500 GMT) to 7:00 pm (1700 GMT).
Will Edi Rama secure a historic fourth term?
Rama, 60, has been at the helm of the Socialist Party since 2005 and is campaigning for a fourth consecutive term as prime minister. A former student activist against the communist regime, he previously held the positions of mayor of Tirana and minister of culture before assuming office in 2013.
His main goal is to secure EU membership by 2030. However, opposition to Rama has grown in the past year, primarily due to claims of a suppression of dissent, particularly involving Berisha.
Is opposition to Rama growing amid corruption claims?
At the same time, Rama has faced numerous scandals himself, including the recent arrest of his ally, Tirana’s mayor Erion Veliaj, on charges of corruption and money laundering. Rama has been emphasizing his commitment to joining the EU by the end of the decade. However, some experts are skeptical about whether this timeline is feasible, considering the necessary reforms for joining the bloc, such as eliminating corruption.
How does Sali Berisha challenge Rama’s leadership?
Rama’s primary opponent is Sali Berisha, an energetic 80-year-old with a hoarse voice, who has navigated Albania’s turbulent political landscape. Berisha, a former president and prime minister, has been at the helm of the conservative Democratic Party of Albania since its establishment in 1990, a year that saw student protests signaling the end of communist isolation.
He argues that Albania still isn’t ready for EU membership. Berisha’s leadership — fraught with party feuds and corruption allegations — and messaging remain contentious. He started the campaign borrowing from U.S. President Donald Trump’s slogan, which he changed to “Make Albania Great Again,” but eventually settled on “Grandiose Albania.”
The Central Election Commission anticipates releasing preliminary results within two days of the vote, coinciding with a summit in Albania where leaders from the European Union and other European countries will discuss security and economic growth.
