
By Lutfi Dervishi
The afternoon conference of international observers once again highlighted not only standards, but also stereotypes, which instead of describing reality, often simplify it into clichés.
Such was the complaint about the low turnout in the elections. For the ODIHR observer, the turnout of 42% seems worrying, but no one has explained to him that the real number of voters in Albania, in relation to the current population, exceeds 80%. So, it is not that Albanians do not vote, but that the voter list is inflated with those who have emigrated and cannot vote.
Then comes the cliché about the media. The report states that “self-censorship is a problem,” but the ODIHR observer is surprised when confronted with critical journalists who ask tough and direct questions. In reality, the problem is not that there are no good journalists, but that the media system is another matter.
When the ODIHR report notes the lack of debates in the campaign, it forgets to mention that Albania has not held debates for decades and journalists do not report on the campaigns.
Debates have been replaced with live or recorded broadcasts. The campaign is reported by the parties and journalists are spectators at best or fabrication workers working with material from the client.
Journalists today noted with concern the deteriorating role of the police during the elections, but the response they received from observers was unexpected: "We are not police." An epic moment that shows how far the observation is from the reality on the ground.
And the icing on the cake: the problem is not only the use of public administration for electoral purposes, government financial decisions for electoral favors, voter intimidation, or vote buying.
All of this is old. The problem is that the report fails to say whether these phenomena have improved or worsened since the last elections.
Instead, the list of recommendations is repeated every four years, without any serious attempt to measure progress or regression.
The ODIHR recommendations are not short, but repetitive. Perhaps it is time to have just one recommendation: address the old list of recommendations.
Latest news


US asks China to stop Iran from closing Strait of Hormuz
2025-06-23 11:10:34

Trump talks about possible regime change in Iran after US bombings
2025-06-23 10:35:46
Presented at SPAK Majlinda Bufi
2025-06-23 10:18:30

Iranian generals threaten US with 'decisive response'
2025-06-23 09:46:00
4 more Albanians evacuated from Israel
2025-06-23 09:31:11

Fire at the waste landfill in Kukës, plumes of smoke spread towards the city
2025-06-23 08:52:12
Why have some of Tehran's key allies stayed out of the Israel-Iran conflict?
2025-06-23 08:34:20
Sterilization PPP nears closure, real cost 53% more than contract
2025-06-23 08:19:00
Gunshot wound in Shkodra, perpetrator flees
2025-06-23 08:04:44
Horoskopi, çfarë kanë rezezervuar yjet për ju sot
2025-06-23 07:50:28
Temperatures up to 36 degrees, weather forecast for today
2025-06-23 07:40:11
Morning Post/ In 2 lines: What mattered yesterday in Albania
2025-06-23 07:22:30
Krim brenda familjes në Greqi, 61-vjeçari vret prindërit e tij të moshuar
2025-06-22 21:57:48
US airstrikes/ Iran warns: The game is not over!
2025-06-22 21:29:22


The US is involved in the war, why did Trump take the risk of attacking Iran?
2025-06-22 20:28:22
Israel-Iran conflict increases global tensions: Is the Albanian economy at risk?
2025-06-22 20:02:04
The US bombed Iran/ Rama: I support Trump's sincere efforts!
2025-06-22 19:40:21
Bosnian tourist drowns in Durres
2025-06-22 19:05:48

The 10 strongest criticisms of the PACE report on the May 11 elections!
2025-06-22 18:41:21



An apartment in Yzberisht is engulfed in flames
2025-06-22 17:32:13


Rinderpest/ The number of outbreaks rises to 10, here are the affected districts
2025-06-22 16:25:12


"Trump has opened Pandora's box"
2025-06-22 15:10:04

Pope Leo XIV: Stop the tragedy of war before it becomes an irreparable abyss
2025-06-22 14:24:22
Criminal group busted in Belgium, 10 Albanians among those arrested
2025-06-22 14:00:58
Cities race for tourists, Tirana cheapest, but busiest
2025-06-22 13:35:53
Kurti supports US strike: International security needs fewer nuclear weapons
2025-06-22 13:18:54
Selling drugs in the former Bllok, 23-year-old arrested
2025-06-22 12:57:58
Berisha supports US strike on Iran: Strong call for overthrow of dictatorship
2025-06-22 12:39:35
Starmer supports US attack on Iran, calls on Tehran to return to negotiations
2025-06-22 12:20:56
Sentenced to 8 years in prison in Italy, 33-year-old Albanian arrested
2025-06-22 11:54:45
Iran condemns US attack on nuclear facilities, warns of consequences
2025-06-22 11:34:21


Albanian Railways is affected by collective staff cuts
2025-06-22 10:46:46
The US has changed the course of the conflict - how will Iran respond?
2025-06-22 10:24:26
Cannabis in drainage canals, 48-year-old arrested in Fier
2025-06-22 10:06:41
Albanians 'invade' New York, thousands march in the Red and Black parade
2025-06-22 09:44:26
Foreign exchange, the rate at which foreign currencies are sold and bought
2025-06-22 09:27:27
Is it worth buying an apartment to rent out?
2025-06-22 09:12:40
US bombs Iran, hits three Tehran nuclear sites
2025-06-22 08:53:08
Horoscope, what do the stars have in store for you today?
2025-06-22 08:35:50
Weather forecast/ How temperatures will change during the day
2025-06-22 08:20:43
Morning Post/ In 2 lines: What mattered yesterday in Albania
2025-06-22 08:00:29

Iranian President: We will not stop nuclear program
2025-06-21 21:46:32
Europe hit by first heat wave: Up to 40°C expected this weekend
2025-06-21 21:19:19
Borussia Dortmund claim first win in Club World Cup
2025-06-21 20:56:04

Accident on the Puka-Shkodra axis, two injured
2025-06-21 20:05:04

ChatGPT can damage your brain, here's what the study says
2025-06-21 19:20:25


Belarus opposition leader released after five years in prison
2025-06-21 18:22:57
Renowned journalist and teacher in Korça, Vehbi Furxhi, passes away
2025-06-21 18:06:16
Accident in Fier-Levan, two injured
2025-06-21 17:43:25
Tourism in traffic, when roads undo success
2025-06-21 17:25:31

Broja on the verge of leaving Chelsea, 4 teams in talks for midfielder
2025-06-21 16:42:02
Iran confirms death of tenth nuclear scientist
2025-06-21 16:24:28

The Balkans as a warehouse for migrants?
2025-06-21 15:49:53

Khamenei names potential successors if he is killed
2025-06-21 15:10:58


Memli Krasniqi re-elected as PDK chairman
2025-06-21 14:29:12



Israel says it has eliminated another top Iranian commander
2025-06-21 12:43:26

Iran and Israel exchange new attacks, Tehran rejects talks with the US
2025-06-21 12:00:20

The impasse continues, the constitution of the Assembly fails for the 35th time
2025-06-21 11:14:23

Report: Cadastre ignores Parliament and ALSAI recommendations
2025-06-21 10:35:59
Car loses control on Tepelena-Kelcyrë road, driver injured
2025-06-21 10:14:47

It failed 34 times, today a new attempt to constitute the Kosovo Assembly
2025-06-21 09:37:02
Foreign exchange, June 21, 2025
2025-06-21 09:17:10


With temperatures up to 35 degrees, check out today's weather forecast
2025-06-21 08:15:54