Edi Rama promises Albania EU membership by 2030
- Edi Rama's Socialist Party won 83 seats in Albania's 140-seat Parliament during the May 11 elections.
- Rama committed to achieving EU membership for Albania by 2030, a claim met with skepticism from the opposition.
- The election irregularities raised by the Democrats signal ongoing political tension in Albania.
Albania recently held parliamentary elections on May 11, 2025, where the ruling Socialist Party led by Edi Rama secured a landslide victory, winning 83 out of 140 seats in Parliament. This win enables the Socialists to likely govern alone, which reflects a significant support base amid rising political tensions. During a celebratory rally in Tirana's Skanderbeg Square, Rama addressed thousands of supporters and expressed gratitude toward voters. He reinforced his commitment for Albania to join the European Union by 2030, with negotiations expected to conclude by 2027. However, this pledge has drawn skepticism from the opposition. The main opposition, led by Sali Berisha of the Democratic Party, recorded only 50 seats and has raised allegations of irregularities in the election process, particularly concerning diaspora voting. For the first time, voters from the diaspora were allowed to participate in the elections through mail-in ballots, with about 195,000 voters submitting their ballots. Preliminary voter turnout was reported at 42.16%, slightly lower than in the previous election cycle. The Democrats have claimed electoral manipulation and vowed not to recognize the results, planning to hold a protest during the upcoming European Political Community summit. The European Union acknowledged the election as generally well-managed but noted some shortcomings. They urged all political parties to work towards maintaining effective governance and ensuring the functioning of democratic institutions. Observers highlighted issues such as the misuse of public resources by the ruling party and the polarizing dynamics between the two major parties. The political climate in Albania remains charged as the Socialists work to affirm their mandate amid ongoing disputes from their adversaries. While supporters of the Socialist Party express optimism about EU membership prospects, the opposition in Albania remains doubtful regarding the country's preparedness for such integration. Edi Rama's assertive stance on the EU ambitions reflects a broader strategy to unify public sentiment around a common goal despite the criticisms from political rivals.