Parliamentary elections are scheduled to be held in Albania by June 2025.
 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
All 140 seats to the Parliament 71 seats needed for a majority | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
Background
editIn the 2021 parliamentary elections, the Socialist Party won 74 of the 140 seats in the parliament, resulting in Edi Rama being re-elected as Prime Minister. The PD-AN alliance, led by the centre-right Democrats, increased their seat-share from 43 seats to 59. However of the 59 seats 9 went to smaller parties that ran within the Democratic party.
On 26 July 2024, the parliament approved the amendments to the new electoral code, which included provisions for diaspora voting and the allocation of mandates.[1] A significant focus centered on the formula employed for candidate lists, which was no longer entirely open; instead, one-third was designated as closed and subject to the discretion of the party leader, thereby exempting it from preferential voting. Furthermore, the new regulations stipulated that one out of every three candidates elected from the open list was required to be a woman, thereby reflecting a commitment to enhancing gender representation within the electoral framework.[1]
Electoral system
editThe electoral system of Albania is constructed upon the principles defined in the constitution and the electoral code. As a parliamentary constitutional republic, Albania implements a regional proportional representation method that allocates seats in the Kuvendi according to the proportion of votes garnered by political parties in a multi-party system.[2][3][4] The Kuvendi is composed of 140 representatives with a term of four years, where 100 members are elected directly from multi-member constituencies and 40 members from multi-name lists of parties or coalitions.[3] The constitution codifies substantial democratic principles, stipulating that voting rights are equal, free, and conducted through secret ballot.[5][6] All citizens of Albania, upon reaching the age of 18 and have not been deprived of voting rights, are permitted to participate in elections.[7] The electoral code also establishes comprehensive procedures for voter registration, ensuring that all eligible citizens can participate fully in the process. The allocation of representatives in the Kuvendi is integrated on population size within 12 electoral districts, which correspond to the administrative regions of Albania.[4] To ensure proportional representation, the d'Hondt method is employed for seat distribution, contingent upon an electoral threshold of 1%.[4] This method facilitates a fair allocation of seats relative to the number of registered citizens in each district of Albania.[4]
Election date
editAccording to the constitution, parliamentary elections in Albania are required to be conducted no later than 60 days and no earlier than 30 days prior to the expiration of the Kuvendi's mandate.[3]
Parliamentary parties
editAs of the electoral code, a parliamentary party is defined as a political organisation that has achieved representation in the Kuvendi by obtaining a minimum of one seat in the most recent electoral contest.[8] Subsequent to the 2021 parliamentary election, the PS obtained 74 of the 140 seats, emerging as the majority party.[9] The PD – AN secured 59 seats, while LSI acquired 4 seats and the PSD attained 1 seat.[9]
| Name | Ideology | Position | Leader | 2021 result | Ref. | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Votes (%) | Seats | ||||||||
| PS | Socialist Party of Albania Partia Socialiste e Shqipërisë |
Social democracy | Centre-left | Edi Rama | 48.67 | 74 / 140
|
|||
| PD–AN | Democratic Party – Alliance for Change Partia Demokratike – Aleanca për Ndryshim |
Liberal conservatism | Centre-right | Lulzim Basha | 28.85 | 59 / 140
|
|||
| LSI | Socialist Movement for Integration Lëvizja Socialiste për Integrim |
Social democracy | Centre-left | Monika Kryemadhi | 6.81 | 4 / 140
|
|||
| PSD | Social Democratic Party of Albania Partia Socialdemokrate e Shqipërisë |
Social democracy | Centre-left | Tom Doshi | 2.25 | 3 / 140
|
|||
Campaign
editAdriatik Lapaj of the Shqipëria bëhet movement, advocates for a radical shift in Albania's political landscape. In September 2024, although the official campaigning has not yet started, Lapaj stated that over the past year, they have been actively engaging citizens through meetings in Tirana, regional areas, and the diaspora, emphasising the role of the electorate in challenging the existing government.[10] Lapaj criticized both the Socialist Party and Democratic Party, claiming that their leaders exploit criminal networks to manipulate elections and maintain power.[10] Lapaj's vision seeks to dismantle this system, promising an alternative model based on honesty and accountability, with the ultimate goal of empowering the Albanian people to enact change.[10]
Opinion polls
editLeadership approval
editEdi Rama
editThe polls below asked voters for their opinion of Edi Rama, leader of the Socialist Party and Prime Minister of Albania since September 2013.
| Pollster | Date | Approve | Disapprove | Lead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EuronewsAlbania | 16 October 2024 | 45.9 | 50.1 | -4.2 |
| EuronewsAlbania | 7 June 2024 | 48.4 | 47.3 | 1.1 |
| EuronewsAlbania | 1 March 2024 | 52.1 | 47.9 | 5.2 |
| EuronewsAlbania | 15 December 2023 | 47.8 | 49.4 | -1.6 |
| EuronewsAlbania | 8 May 2023 | 52.8 | 44.5 | 8.3 |
| EuronewsAlbania | 21 April 2023 | 54.1 | 42.7 | 11.4 |
| EuronewsAlbania | 24 March 2023 | 59.1 | 38.3 | 20.8 |
| EuronewsAlbania | 3 March 2023 | 47.3 | 49.7 | -2.4 |
| EuronewsAlbania | 6 January 2023 | 36.8 | 56.3 | -19.5 |
| EuronewsAlbania | 7 October 2022 | 40.6 | 56 | -15.4 |
| EuronewsAlbania | 5 May 2022 | 44.8 | 54 | -9.2 |
| EuronewsAlbania | 27 January 2022 | 50.1 | 48.3 | 1.8 |
| EuronewsAlbania | 11 November 2021 | 43.3 | 54.6 | -11.3 |
| EuronewsAlbania | 10 June 2021 | 52.4 | 47.4 | 5 |
| EuronewsAlbania | 8 April 2021 | 47 | 52.5 | -5.5 |
Sali Berisha
editThe polls below asked voters for their opinion of Sali Berisha, current leader of the Democratic Party and Leader of the Opposition, former Prime Minister of Albania and former President of Albania .
| Pollster | Date | Approve | Disapprove | Lead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EuronewsAlbania | 16 October 2024 | 28.7 | 66.3 | -37.6 |
| EuronewsAlbania | 7 June 2024 | 25.6 | 70.3 | -44.7 |
| EuronewsAlbania | 1 March 2024 | 28.7 | 71.3 | -36.3 |
| EuronewsAlbania | 15 December 2023 | 30.6 | 65.7 | -35.1 |
| EuronewsAlbania | 8 May 2023 | 27.7 | 66.6 | -38.9 |
| EuronewsAlbania | 21 April 2023 | 33.4 | 62.2 | -28.8 |
| EuronewsAlbania | 24 March 2023 | 28.6 | 68.1 | -39.5 |
| EuronewsAlbania | 3 March 2023 | 26.8 | 70.4 | -43.6 |
| EuronewsAlbania | 6 January 2023 | 21 | 71.8 | -50.8 |
| EuronewsAlbania | 7 October 2022 | 26.2 | 71.5 | -45.3 |
| EuronewsAlbania | 5 May 2022 | 27.2 | 72 | -44.2 |
| EuronewsAlbania | 27 January 2022 | 21.2 | 76.1 | -54.9 |
| EuronewsAlbania | 11 November 2021 | 28.1 | 69.8 | -41.7 |
Lulzim Basha
editThe polls below asked voters for their opinion of Lulzim Basha, former leader of the Democratic Party and former Mayor of Tirana.
| Pollster | Date | Approve | Disapprove | Lead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EuronewsAlbania | 16 October 2024 | 13.9 | 80.5 | -66.6 |
| EuronewsAlbania | 7 June 2024 | 13 | 82.5 | -69.5 |
| EuronewsAlbania | 1 March 2024 | 14 | 86 | -72 |
| EuronewsAlbania | 15 December 2023 | 21.9 | 73.6 | -51.7 |
| EuronewsAlbania | 3 March 2023 | 20.2 | 76.7 | -56.5 |
| EuronewsAlbania | 6 January 2023 | 7.6 | 84.1 | -76.5 |
| EuronewsAlbania | 7 October 2022 | 14 | 83.5 | -69.5 |
Ilir Meta
editThe polls below asked voters for their opinion of Ilir Meta, leader of the Freedom Party, former President of Albania .
| Pollster | Date | Approve | Disapprove | Lead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EuronewsAlbania | 16 October 2024 | 9.9 | 84.6 | -74.7 |
| EuronewsAlbania | 7 June 2024 | 7.3 | 88.5 | -81.2 |
| EuronewsAlbania | 1 March 2024 | 8.4 | 91.6 | -83.2 |
| EuronewsAlbania | 15 December 2023 | 10.7 | 85.2 | -74.5 |
| EuronewsAlbania | 8 May 2023 | 10.4 | 81.5 | -71.1 |
| EuronewsAlbania | 21 April 2023 | 18 | 74.1 | -56.1 |
| EuronewsAlbania | 24 March 2023 | 12.4 | 83.1 | -70.7 |
| EuronewsAlbania | 3 March 2023 | 8.8 | 87.6 | -78.8 |
| EuronewsAlbania | 6 January 2023 | 4.6 | 88.1 | -83.5 |
| EuronewsAlbania | 7 October 2022 | 6.7 | 90.7 | -84 |
| EuronewsAlbania | 11 November 2021 | 7.2 | 91.1 | -83.9 |
Endrit Shabani
editThe polls below asked voters for their opinion of Endrit Shabani, leader of Nisma Thurje, an extra-parliamentary opposition party.
| Pollster | Date | Approve | Disapprove | Lead | Unknown to me |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EuronewsAlbania | 15 December 2023 | 13 | 25.1 | -12.1 | 53.4 |
| EuronewsAlbania | 8 March 2024 | 17.9 | 25.4 | -7.5 | 44 |
| EuronewsAlbania | 7 June 2024 | 19.6 | 33.1 | -13.5 | 40 |
| EuronewsAlbania | 16 October 2024 | 23.8 | 26.8 | -3 | 42.8 |
Arlind Qori
editThe polls below asked voters for their opinion of Arlind Qori, leader of Lëvizja Bashkë, an extra-parliamentary opposition party.
| Pollster | Date | Approve | Disapprove | Lead | Unknown to me |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EuronewsAlbania | 15 December 2023 | 17.6 | 23.3 | -5.7 | 50.3 |
| EuronewsAlbania | 8 March 2024 | 22.2 | 21.6 | 0.6 | 42.7 |
| EuronewsAlbania | 7 June 2024 | 23.8 | 29.1 | -5.3 | 40.5 |
| EuronewsAlbania | 16 October 2024 | 31.3 | 24.5 | 6.8 | 36 |
Adriatik Lapaj
editThe polls below asked voters for their opinion of Adriatik Lapaj, leader of Shqipëria Bëhet, an extra-parliamentary opposition movement.
| Pollster | Date | Approve | Disapprove | Lead | Unknown to me |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EuronewsAlbania | 15 December 2023 | 27.8 | 21.5 | 6.3 | 42 |
| EuronewsAlbania | 8 March 2024 | 35 | 17.4 | 17.6 | 37.2 |
| EuronewsAlbania | 7 June 2024 | 40.8 | 26.9 | 13.9 | 26.9 |
| EuronewsAlbania | 16 October 2024 | 46.2 | 24.4 | 21.8 | 22.8 |
Nationwide
edit| Polling firm | Date | Sample | PS | PD | PL | PSD | PDIU | NTH | LB | SB | PM | Others | Lead |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Piepoli + Report TV | 17 October 2024 | – | 50.3% | 30.2% | 1.5% | 1.0% | 1.0% | 1.7% | 1.0% | 6.8% | 3.1% | 3.7% | 20.1% |
| 2021 election | 25 April 2021 | 1,578,117 | 48.67% | 39.43% | 6.81% | 2.25% | with PD | 0.65% | – | – | – | 2.84% | 9.24% |
Notes
editReferences
edit- ^ a b "106 vota pro, PS-PD miratojnë ndryshimet në Kodin Zgjedhor: Lista të hapura në 2/3 dhe votë të diasporës! 'Përplasen' demokratët, akuza për pazar Berisha-Rama". Shqiptarja (in Albanian). 26 July 2024. Archived from the original on 28 July 2024. Retrieved 26 October 2024.
- ^ OSCE 1998, p. 1, Article 1.
- ^ a b c OSCE 1998, p. 12, Article 64.
- ^ a b c d OSCE 2021, p. 6.
- ^ OSCE 1998, p. 9, Article 45.
- ^ OSCE 1998, p. 14, Article 73.
- ^ OSCE 1998, p. 8, Article 45.
- ^ Electoral Code 2024, p. 2.
- ^ a b c d e f "Albania: Parliamentary Elections April 25, 2021". Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). Archived from the original on 22 July 2024. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
- ^ a b c "Zgjedhjet e 2025/ Lapaj: Do të kemi rezultat surprizë. Fitorja më e madhe e shqiptarëve do të ishte". BalkanWeb (in Albanian). 10 September 2024. Retrieved 14 November 2024.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
Sources
edit- "Constitution of the Republic of Albania". Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). 22 November 1998. Archived from the original on 7 October 2023. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
- "Albania, Parliamentary Elections, 25 April 2021: Final Report". Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). 26 July 2021. Archived from the original on 27 May 2024. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
- "Ligj Nr. 10 019, Datë 29.12.2008 Kodi Zgjedhor i Rpublikës së Shqipërisë (Electoral Code 2024)" (PDF) (in Albanian). Komisioni Qendror i Zgjedhjeve (KQZ). 26 July 2024. Archived (PDF) from the original on 16 September 2024. Retrieved 26 October 2024.