EP report on Albania, alarm on elections, corruption, media and environment

The European Parliament's Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET) adopted this Wednesday the report on Albania for 2026, a document that includes over 300 amendments compared to the initial draft and addresses a wide range of issues related to the democratic process, the rule of law, corruption, media freedom, human rights and environmental protection.

The final version also includes two new amendments related to protected areas and European Union requirements for environmental impact assessment, issues that have been at the center of public debates in recent months.

In the chapter on elections , the report highlights concerns about the use of state resources during electoral processes, emphasizing that the boundary between public administration and the ruling party remains unclear.

The document also raises concerns about the transparency of political party financing, allegations of vote buying and pressure on voters, as well as the failure to fully implement the recommendations of the OSCE/ODIHR and the Venice Commission following the elections of May 11, 2025.

The report also focuses on the political polarization in the country, assessing that the ongoing climate of conflict between parties undermines the normal functioning of democratic institutions, reduces public trust and limits the oversight role of the Assembly towards the government. AFET calls for a more meaningful involvement of the opposition in parliamentary processes and more transparency in the drafting of legislation.

As regards the rule of law , MEPs express concern about political pressures on the judicial system and the challenges related to the efficiency of courts, the implementation of final decisions and attempts to unfairly influence the judiciary. The report calls for the full implementation of the decisions of the Constitutional Court and the respect of constitutional procedures in matters related to parliamentary immunity.

An important part of the document is dedicated to corruption and organized crime.

The report highlights that Albania has marked a decline in Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index, moving from 80th place in 2024 to 91st place in 2025. According to AFET, corruption remains a serious concern and more concrete results are needed in the investigation and conviction of high-level corruption cases. It also requires guaranteeing the independence and capacities of SPAK, as well as strengthening mechanisms for the seizure and confiscation of assets of criminal origin.

The report also addresses ownership issues, emphasizing that the process of initial property registration remains incomplete and that citizens must be guaranteed the right to a fair trial in cases of expropriation.

In the field of media , AFET strongly condemns anti-media rhetoric and verbal attacks on journalists, expressing concern about the high number of lawsuits against them and the lack of transparency in media ownership and the distribution of state advertising.

In terms of public administration and governance, the report highlights the need to depoliticize the civil service, strengthen meritocracy, and increase transparency in public procurement. It also notes that the public internal financial control system remains only partially effective.

One of the most critical chapters is on the environment . The report cites the European Commission’s assessment that Albania has made no progress in the field of environment and climate change over the last year. AFET regrets the extension of the Strategic Investments Law and calls for the repeal of the 2024 amendments that allow large-scale tourism developments within protected areas, arguing that they weaken environmental oversight.

The report also raises concerns about the irregularities identified by OLAF in the implementation of the IPARD II programme and calls for immediate corrective measures to ensure the correct use of European Union funds.

On foreign policy, MEPs warn that regional initiatives outside the European Union framework, including the “Open Balkans”, could create parallel structures that weaken the Berlin Process and the EU-backed Regional Common Market.

The AFET report is considered one of the most important political documents for Albania's progress on the path of European integration, as it highlights the main challenges that the country must address within the framework of the European Union membership process.