Current State of Politics in Albania and the Upcoming 2025 General Elections
This report is part of the larger anthology “Insights into Albania: Internal Struggles and Geopolitical Challenges in the Western Balkans”
Read the report here
Read the full anthology here
As Albania’s May 11 elections approach, the country has made significant strides toward justice reform, and the economy has benefited from an unprecedented tourism and construction boom. However, inequality has increased, corruption remains pervasive, and the trend of youth emigration continues unabated.
Never in the post-communist era has a political party governed Albania for three consecutive terms. Prime Minister Edi Rama, now in his 12th year in office, can tout several historic successes, including opening negotiations on the first chapters with the European Union on Oct. 15, 2024. On the other hand, his government also faces corruption scandals, unresolved social and economic problems, and failures in democracy. Nonetheless, barring any significant development, his Socialist Party of Albania (SPA) remains the favorite in the upcoming elections.
Indications that a change in government may still not be on the horizon for Albania can be found by analyzing the country’s political history, the main political players, and the key issues likely to influence voter behavior.
The views expressed in this article are those of the author and not an official policy or position of New Lines Institute.
