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Edi Rama Secures Fourth Term as Albania’s Prime Minister in Socialist Party Victory

The Socialist Party wins 52% of votes, but opposition disputes results as international observers call for electoral reforms.

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

  • The Socialist Party, led by Prime Minister Edi Rama, secured 82 seats in Albania's 140-seat parliament with 52% of the vote, as confirmed by the Central Election Commission.
  • This marks Rama's unprecedented fourth consecutive term, with his campaign centered on achieving European Union membership by 2030, despite skepticism about the timeline.
  • For the first time, diaspora Albanians were allowed to vote by mail, with approximately 195,000 ballots submitted, though the opposition has contested 53,000 of these votes from Greece.
  • International observers, including the OSCE, highlighted concerns over the misuse of state resources and voter intimidation during the election process.
  • The Democratic Party, led by Sali Berisha, has rejected the results without evidence, alleging fraud and planning protests during the upcoming European Political Community summit in Tirana.