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Edi Rama Secures Fourth Term as Albania's Prime Minister in Contested Election

The Socialist Party wins 52.1% of the vote, but allegations of irregularities and disputes over diaspora ballots cast doubts on the election's integrity.

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama speaks to supporters during a celebratory rally for his Socialist Party victory in the last parliamentary elections, in Tirana, Albania, Wednesday, May 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Vlasov Sulaj)
Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama applauds to his supporters during a celebratory rally for his Socialist Party victory in the last parliamentary elections, in Tirana, Albania, Wednesday, May 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Vlasov Sulaj)
A young boy holds an Albanian flag during a celebratory rally for Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama's victory in the last parliamentary elections, in Tirana, Albania, Wednesday, May 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Vlasov Sulaj)
Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama speaks to supporters during a celebratory rally for his Socialist Party victory in the last parliamentary elections, in Tirana, Albania, Wednesday, May 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Vlasov Sulaj)

Overview

  • Albania's Central Election Commission confirmed the Socialist Party's victory with 52.1% of the vote, securing 82 seats in parliament.
  • This marks Prime Minister Edi Rama's fourth consecutive term, the first leader in Albania to achieve this milestone since the fall of communism.
  • International observers, including the OSCE, flagged misuse of public resources and an uneven playing field, urging comprehensive electoral reforms.
  • Approximately 53,000 diaspora ballots from Greece remain disputed, with the opposition alleging manipulation and calling for protests on May 16.
  • Rama has framed his victory as a mandate to accelerate Albania's EU accession by 2030, though experts question the feasibility of this timeline.