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First ballot boxes counted, DP-ASHM leads in Kruja

Photo/ Brawl at a counting center in Kukës, police try to stop the young man

The first ballot box is counted in Tirana, the DP leads in Unit 2

5 ballot boxes are being counted in the Gjirokastra district, here's how the votes are divided

The first 6 ballot boxes are opened for counting in Kukës

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Albania votes today, 'Le Monde' article on the elections: Decisive for the future of Albania

Politiko 2025-05-11 13:31:01

Albania votes today, 'Le Monde' article on the elections: Decisive for

About 3.7 million Albanian voters have been called to the polls to choose between the two main candidates: Prime Minister Edi Rama and former Prime Minister Sali Berisha, in the parliamentary elections taking place on Sunday, May 11. These elections are considered extraordinary, being decisive for Albania's European future.

Polling stations opened at 7 a.m. and will close at 7 p.m. Rama, 60, has led the Socialist Party since 2005 and is seeking a fourth consecutive term as prime minister, an achievement that would be unprecedented. A former student leader against the communist regime and former mayor of Tirana, Rama has used his promise to join Albania with the European Union by 2030 as his main trump card.

On the other hand, Sali Berisha, 80, the opposition leader, has united more than two dozen parties to challenge Rama and oust him from power. Berisha, who was President of Albania (1992-1997), promises to make “Albania Great,” focusing on economic recovery and development of the country. He has hired an American consultant for his campaign, Chris LaCivita, known for his ties to the US Republican Party.

Although Berisha has been declared persona non grata by the United States and the United Kingdom for his alleged involvement in organized crime and corruption, he has denied the charges and has engaged in a campaign for a profound change in governance.

This year's elections are also significant because of the participation of the Albanian diaspora, who have the opportunity to vote from abroad for the first time. Albania, which has seen a large exodus of its residents, especially young people, to countries such as Germany and Italy, has registered nearly 246,000 voters from abroad.

In these elections, more than 2,000 observers, Albanian and foreign, are present to monitor the process and ensure a fair and transparent process. The international community is closely following the elections, which are seen as a test of the functioning of Albania's fragile institutions after a fierce campaign.

Another important aspect of the elections is the support for Albania on its path towards the European Union. After 13 years of waiting, Albania launched EU membership negotiations in July 2022, and these elections will play an important role in further advancing the integration process.

The first results of the elections will be published in two days, and they will be seen as an important step for the future of Albania, while a summit of the European Political Community will be held in Tirana on May 16, to discuss security and economic development in the region. Le Monde