Democracy in Albania has taken a hit in the last 5 years / Impartiality is missing, corruption is 'rampant'

Democracy in Albania has weakened significantly in the last five years. A report of the Global State of Democracy Index, has brought an overview of Albanian democracy in several study vectors.

According to the report published by EURACTIV , Albania has marked a historic level in impartial administration, going from a possible 1.0 to only 0.37. The impartiality of the administration determines whether it is fair or predictable in its functioning.

Albania resulted in even lower scores for the absence of corruption with only 0.29, signaling that corruption is rampant.

For 2015, Albania got a combined score of 2.34 out of a possible 4.0. By 2020, its level fell to 2.30 marking a significant reduction in corruption, impartial administration and direct democracy. Such a decrease in these indicators was marked in the first and second term of Prime Minister Edi Rama.

The lowest score was scored by direct democracy, with 0.08 out of 1.0 possible. Other areas of poor performance were the independence of the judiciary 0.48 and social rights and equality 0.55.

Albania has scored poorly on freedom of expression with only 0.54, below the global average.

The election was considered not particularly clean, with a score of only 0.59, and political parties were also not considered free 0.62.

Albania performed well in elected government, which refers to the extent to which elections determine governance. A good result was obtained in inclusive suffrage, excess in justice, civil liberties, freedom of religion and freedom of movement.

The report described it as a 'weak democracy', also because Albania is the country with the longest prison sentences in the world for breaking Covid-19 restrictions, reaching up to 15 years in prison. The imposition of fines for misinformation related to the Covid-19 pandemic has also been noted.