Albania’s May 11 general election represents a test for the country’s democratic progress, taking place after changes to the electoral framework and in a politically charged atmosphere, international observers said on April 28.

According to a preliminary assessment by the OSCE’s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), the 2025 vote is “an important milestone for the country” and a critical moment in Albania’s efforts to strengthen democratic institutions during ongoing accession negotiations with the European Union.

The elections will be the first in Albania to allow out-of-country voting, with approximately 246,000 of the total 3.7mn registered voters casting ballots from abroad via postal voting. The Central Election Commission (CEC) has led a broad outreach campaign to inform citizens of the new procedures, including targeted voter education for minorities and people with disabilities.

“The 2025 parliamentary elections take place against the backdrop of changes to the electoral system and the introduction of out-of-country voting for the first time,” the OSCE/ODIHR stated. “These elections are also considered a further important test of the development of Albania’s democratic processes and institutions.”

Despite these reforms, the campaign environment has remained subdued, marked more by personal attacks and allegations of corruption than by substantive policy debate. Observers noted a “high degree of polarisation and mistrust between the two main parties” – Prime Minister Edi Rama’s ruling Socialist Party and the opposition Democratic Party, led by former prime minister Sali Berisha.

Both parties have pledged increases to wages, pensions and social services, while smaller political groups have focused on anti-corruption and economic reforms. However, the ODIHR noted that smaller parties were less visible on the ground and online.

Though campaigning is banned inside public institutions and the misuse of state resources is prohibited, persistent concerns have emerged regarding the pressure placed on civil servants and the influence of patronage networks. According to the OSCE/ODIHR, “Most interlocutors raised concerns regarding the misuse of state resources, pressure on public sector employees, and the impact of so-called ‘patronage networks’ on voting.”

The CEC has received 94 complaints as of April 11, with 70 administrative investigations launched – six related specifically to the use of public assets. The CEC is also monitoring the online activity of 50 public institutions.

While there is no indication of foreign interference in the electoral process, domestic controversies have continued to dominate the headlines. Prominent political figures from both sides have faced corruption investigations. Former president Ilir Meta, now head of the Freedom Party, was arrested in October, while Democratic Party leader Berisha was recently released from house arrest. In February, Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj – widely seen as a rising star in the Socialist Party – was arrested. 

Public confidence in democratic institutions has been further shaken by other recent developments, including the mass dismissal of Albania’s public broadcaster’s steering council and a temporary ban on TikTok, now being contested in the Constitutional Court on grounds of free speech.

Reforms to the electoral code in 2024 and early 2025 introduced closed and preferential party lists and restricted candidates from running in multiple constituencies. However, the OSCE/ODIHR noted that many of its earlier recommendations remain unaddressed.

As the official campaign entered its final stretch, the ODIHR said political discourse continues to be dominated by “mutual accusations of corruption and links to organised crime”, while the use of social media, which is largely unregulated, has become a key battleground. Political parties have signed a voluntary code of conduct to promote ethical digital campaigning, and new guidelines on data protection have been introduced to prevent misuse of voter information.

Electronic voting and counting will be piloted in selected municipalities, with the authorities planning testing and public demonstrations prior to election day.

Eleven electoral subjects, including eight parties and three coalitions, are contesting the vote. Of the 2,046 registered candidates, 38.5% are women – a figure close to the legal gender quota requiring that every third candidate on party lists be from the underrepresented gender.