Rama set to retain power in Albania election

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Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama has claimed victory in Albania’s parliamentary election on Sunday, 11 May, after exit polls showed his Socialist Party (PS) with a clear lead. The vote, which has been characterised as ballot on Albania’s commitment to EU accession, was marked by low turnout and political polarisation.

According to an exit poll by the Albanian Post and television channel Klan Kosova, the Socialist Party secured around 51.8% of the vote, which would give it some 79 MPs in the 140-member parliament. The opposition Democratic Party (PD), led by Sali Berisha, is projected to take 38% and 54 seats. Polls closed on Sunday evening, and an official result is expected within 48 hours.

Turnout was reported at 41.4%, down on previous elections. This election was the first in which Albania’s diaspora could vote, with just over 190,000 citizens abroad participating. The country of around 2.8mn has some 3.7mn eligible voters due to mass emigration. The opposition argue that Rama’s performance has driven more than 1mn Albanians to leave the country in the last decade.

Voters were electing MPs for 4-year terms, from 2,046 candidates aligned with 11 political groupings, including 3 coalitions. The Central Election Commission (KQZ) reported that voting proceeded peacefully, with only minor incidents. Over 300 international observers from the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) monitored the electoral process. “For the most part, excluding some sporadic cases, the process has been in line with the rules and standards,” KQZ head Ilirjan Celibashi said.

EU accession main election issue

Rama, in power for 12 years and seeking a 4th term, campaigned on promises of continued economic growth and EU membership by 2030. His government has overseen annual GDP growth of over 4% since 2022, fuelled by increased trade with the EU and a booming tourism industry. During the campaign the 60-year-old former artist pledged to triple tourism from 10mn arrivals in 2024 to 30mn by 2030, by diversifying destinations and expanding infrastructure.

Berisha, currently under US sanctions for alleged corruption, denies any wrongdoing and has sought to revive his political career with the help of US political strategist Chris LaCivita. The 80-year-old erstwhile president and prime minister argues that Albania is not ready for EU membership. His campaign slogans included “Make Albania Great Again” and “Grandiose Albania”, echoing US President Donald Trump.

Both parties made broadly similar pledges on raising pensions, salaries and the minimum wage by 20% or more. On Sunday, Berisha urged Albanians to vote “for themselves, for their children, their pensions and salaries, employment, business, their farm”.

The election is the first since Albania began formal EU accession negotiations in October 2024. Rama has promised to deliver EU membership by 2030, but EU officials have stressed that Albania must continue reforms, particularly in governance and anti-corruption, to meet the bloc’s membership standards.

Corruption remains a stumbling block for EU accession. EU- and US-led investigations of former ministers, mayors and other high-ranking officials have led to custodial sentences. Meanwhile, others, including Berisha and ruling party politicians, have been charged with corruption or are awaiting trial. The measures have seen Albania improve its ranking on the Transparency International corruption index, climbing from 116th place in 2013 to 80th in 2024.