Asset Publisher

Adobe Stock / GrebnerFotografie

Country reports

Local elections in Albania

The Socialist Party wins most municipalities in Albania's local elections. The opposition accuses the party of electoral fraud.

On 14 May, new mayors and municipal councils were elected throughout Albania. The majority of mayoral posts were won by the Socialist Party of Prime Minister Edi Rama. The coalition "Bashkë Fitojmë" of Sali Berisha and Ilir Meta could only win a few smaller municipalities, the Democrats under Enkelejd Alibeaj none.

Asset Publisher

Almost 3.6 million Albanians were called upon to elect their mayors and city councillors in 61 municipalities in the country Sunday last week. However, only 1.4 million people exercised their right to vote. By winning 53 mayoral offices, the Socialists were able to further consolidate their position of power in the country. The Democratic Party, which had boycotted the last local elections in 2019, contested separately this time due to internal strife. Only the joint coalition of Sali Berisha (Democratic Party) and Ilir Meta (Freedom Party) was able to win city hall in seven municipalities. The officially registered Democratic Party won only a few mandates in the municipal councils. While things remained mostly calm on election day, there were accusations of electoral fraud and vote buying, as in the previous elections.

The full-length publication is only available in German.

Asset Publisher

Contact

Dr. Tobias Rüttershoff

Dr

Head of the Regional Program Security Policy Dialogue West Africa

tobias.ruettershoff@kas.de +225 27 22 48 1800
Country reports
Reuters / Gleb Garanich
February 24, 2023
read now

comment-portlet

Asset Publisher

About this series

The Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung is a political foundation. Our offices abroad are in charge of over 200 projects in more than 120 countries. The country reports offer current analyses, exclusive evaluations, background information and forecasts - provided by our international staff.