Another Go-Round for Rama? Post-Election Analysis in Albania - Incumbent party ahead in 2025 Vote Count
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Albanian parliamentary elections take the spotlight, with the incumbent government party holding a commanding lead according to current polls.
The votes of Albania's 2025 parliamentary elections have started to be counted as the polls closed on May 11. Prime Minister Edi Rama looks set to secure his fourth term in office, with early results suggesting the Socialist Party leading the pack. The main opposition, the Democratic Party, is trailing significantly. The 60-year-old Rama has been sitting in the PM's seat since 2013. This campaign season has been dominated by electoral promises for a swift EU accession and allegations of corruption. The final results are expected to be announced on Monday.
Being a NATO member since 2009, Albania has been negotiating EU accession for about five years, with official candidacy status awarded in 2014. Rama has pledged to make Albania an EU member by 2030. "We will secure our fourth mandate and we won't lose a single day for Albania 2030 in the EU," Rama said at his final campaign rally on Friday.
Many youth voters have distanced themselves from Rama and the Democratic Party's leader, Sali Berisha, who have dominated Albanian politics since the end of communism in 1990/1991. Berisha was the first president elected in a free vote in 1992 and served as prime minister from 2005 to 2013. Some criticize Rama for taking a firm stance against the opposition, including 80-year-old Berisha. Rama has also faced numerous scandals, including the arrest of his ally Erion Veliaj, the mayor of Tirana, this year on corruption and money laundering charges. Both Berisha and Veliaj deny the allegations.
Current poll results show Rama leading Berisha by a substantial margin. However, Rama's Socialists may need the support of smaller parties to maintain their narrow four-seat majority. Rama could point to his government's economic successes, such as a GDP growth rate over 4% from 2022 to 2024, fueled by EU trade and tourism, according to the World Bank. According to experts, despite these economic achievements, corruption remains a considerable issue, perpetuated by criminal gangs involved in widespread drug and weapons trafficking abroad, laundering their profits in Albania.
Interesting Facts
- Despite being a small country, Albania is home to three different ethnic groups: Albanians, Greeks, and Vlachs.
- One of the most enduring symbols of Albania is the flag, which features a double-headed eagle. The blue, red, and black colors symbolize freedom, valor, and truth, respectively.
- Albania boasts numerous beautiful beaches within its striking coastline, boasting sapphire-blue waters and pristine white sands.
Sources: ntv.de, RTS, 1, 2, 3, 4
- Despite Rama's potential fourth term, concerns about the community policy, particularly corruption, persist, given the arrest of his ally Erion Veliaj on corruption and money laundering charges.
- Prime Minister Rama's employment policy has promised to make Albania an EU member by 2030, a key electoral promise in the ongoing 2025 parliamentary elections.
- Albania's politics have been dominated by Rama and the Democratic Party's leader, Sali Berisha, since the end of communism in 1990/1991, with Rama facing criticism for his firm stance against the opposition.
- In 2024, Albania's GDP growth rate surpassed 4%, a testament to the success of Rama's economic policy, driven by EU trade and tourism, according to the World Bank.
- Albania's 2025 parliamentary elections have been characterized by electoral promises for a swift EU accession and allegations of corruption against Rama and the Socialist Party.
