IDC-CDI resolution on elections in Albania: A political farce that undermined democracy

 The Union of Democrats of the Center and the International Democratic Center (IDC-CDI) has adopted a political resolution on the parliamentary elections of May 11, 2025 in Albania, describing them as not free, not fair and contrary to international standards.

The resolution, proposed by the Democratic Party of Albania, is titled "Albania: Electoral Integrity and Opposition Rights" and expresses deep concern about the manipulation of the electoral process, the intimidation of voters, and the use of state resources in the interests of the ruling Socialist Party.

In the approved document, IDC-CDI emphasizes that:

Voters faced pressure, intimidation, vote buying, and a lack of secrecy of the vote, violating the Copenhagen criteria.

The government used public funds and state institutions to influence the outcome, including distributing bonuses to pensioners and forgiving debts just days before the election.

Media freedom was severely violated through political control and the banning of the TikTok platform, hindering balanced information for citizens.

There was complete impunity for electoral crimes, with over 200 reports to the Special Prosecution Office and the CEC remaining without legal prosecution.

The resolution also condemns the prosecution of opposition leaders, including Sali Berisha, Ilir Meta and Fredi Beleri, as part of a systematic effort to extinguish political pluralism in the country. The organization calls on the European Union to condition Albania's progress towards membership with concrete democratic and electoral reforms, while warning of the danger that authoritarian consolidation and criminal influence in the country pose, not only for Albanian democracy, but also for regional stability.

The resolution concludes with an expression of full solidarity with the Democratic Party of Albania and civil actors fighting to restore democracy and a call for an international observation mission on the ground to verify the post-election situation.

 

 

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