Sun May 11 12:07:16 UTC 2025: ## Albanian Prime Minister Rama Seeks Fourth Term Amidst EU Membership Push
TIRANA, ALBANIA (May 11, 2025) – Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama is vying for a fourth term in Sunday’s general election, a campaign heavily focused on Albania’s bid to join the European Union. Rama’s Socialist Party promises EU membership within five years, a pledge met with skepticism by some analysts. His main challenger, former President Sali Berisha of the Democratic Party, argues Albania isn’t ready for EU accession.
The election, featuring 2,046 candidates from 11 political groupings, includes the first-ever participation of Albanian voters abroad. Turnout was initially low, at 13.15% by 10 a.m., according to the Central Election Commission. The election is marked by a highly charged campaign, utilizing social media heavily (despite a recent TikTok ban), and featuring the hiring of prominent US political consultant Chris LaCivita by Berisha’s Democratic Party.
Both Rama and Berisha have made similar populist economic pledges, promising significant increases to minimum wages and pensions. However, concerns about corruption persist, with both major parties facing allegations and fielding candidates with past corruption accusations. Berisha himself faces corruption charges and is barred from entering the US and UK. The campaign’s rhetoric has been highly inflammatory, with personal attacks exchanged between the two leading figures.
While Albania has seen improvements in its Transparency International corruption ranking, corruption remains a major obstacle to EU membership. The emergence of several smaller parties could potentially play a kingmaker role if neither major party secures a majority. Analysts predict, however, that the election results are unlikely to significantly alter the political landscape. Final results are expected within 48 hours.
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