Votes in Albania, Road Test for EU

In elections where Albanians in exile will first vote, as well, face outgoing Prime Minister Edi Rama, and his bitter opponent, Sali Berisha, a rightist politician who heads an alliance of opposition parties.

Rama, 60, has been the leader of the Socialist Party since 2005 and is demanding the fourth consecutive, something unprecedented, with the promise to join the country in the European Union by 2030.

He says Brussels' doors are key “to grant Albanians a European passport” and enable them “to benefit from the same rights as citizens of all other European countries. ”

The one trying to stop Rama is Berisha, 80, who is eager to return to power after 12 years.

The former president leads the opposition coalition that has received a slogan similar to that of Donald Trump, “Greater Albania”, based on economic revival.

“We are the only ones who can restore the country's economy, the only ones who can move Albania forward. Edi Rama is counting on the last days of his regime”, Berisha said.

The campaign also gives him the opportunity to refresh his image as a strong leader, despite being under Albanian justice observation, because he is allegedly involved in an issue his family has benefited from.

Shortly before the end of a campaign marked by verbal excesses, especially in social networks, recent polls showed victory for Rama's party.

The Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe, meanwhile, said there are “extreme political publicisation” in this Balkan country of 2.8 million people.

Berisha accuses the Socialists of <x0-dollar voting, intimidation, pressure, use of public funds by ministers and majority candidates for their electoral campaign”.

Rama has dismissed these claims, calling it “nothing more than an excuse for loss”.

Justice

For the first time in Albania's election history, Albanians abroad have the opportunity to vote in countries where they live through mail, as a test for the development of democratic processes and institutions, especially in the context of negotiations for EU membership, which began in 2022.

According to official data from the Central Election Commission, 245,935 Albanians abroad are registered to vote.

“Albania has made significant progress on the road to the EU, showing persistence in implementing ambitious reforms for the benefit of citizens”, EU delegation ambassador to Albania Ambassador Silvio Gonzato told AFP.

Losers have disputed the results of each party's elections since the end of communism in the early 1990s, claiming manipulation. But this time, voting is being monitored closely and for the first time on the ground will engage civil servants and legal officials, along with the election commission and about 300 international observers.

Meanwhile, the Special Prosecutor against Corruption and Organised Crime has just opened a verification procedure for a $6 million contract signed in April between an Albanian-American community foundation in the United States and the American lobby firm “Continental Strategy”

“The Continental Strategy” was founded by Carlos Trujillo, a senior Trump adviser.

According to the Democratic Party “the contract aims to strengthen relations between the United States and the Democratic Party”.

For Brussels, Sunday's vote is a major new test for Albania, which is a member of NATO since 2009.

The organisation of free and fair elections, in line with democratic norms and values, will be an essential step to strengthen Albanian democracy, boost citizens' trust in elected representatives and advance the country's European integration”, Gonzato said.

Just five days after the elections, Tirana will be host to the upcoming European Political Community summit. / REL/Periscopi/