2023 Albanian local elections
The Albanian local elections of 2023 took place on 14 May 2023 in Albania.[1]
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Background
In the 2019 Albanian local elections the Albanian opposition had boycotted the elections leading to the Socialists running uncontested in 31 municipalities. Only Shkodër and Finiq were won by opposition candidates, with all other mayors belonging to the Socialist Party.[2] According to official figures, the turnout was 22.97% or 812,249 people.[3] The opposition stated that, according to their calculations, only 534,528 people took part, which means that the turnout was 15.12%.[4] The elections were declared as a farce by leader of the opposition Lulzim Basha at the time.[5]
Sali Berisha and Ilir Meta officially met on 26 October 2022 planning for the upcoming elections.[6][7] Both Meta and Berisha planned to have primaries in order to select joint candidates for each municipality, while the Socialist Party planned to run alone without any electoral alliance.[8] However, since the Democratic Party was split between Enkelejd Alibeaj and Sali Berisha, it was uncertain who would carry the name of the party on the ballot.[9] Belind Këlliçi announced he would be the candidate to challenge Erion Veliaj in Tirana as Berisha's candidate,[10] while Alibeaj did not announce his candidate in Tirana.
On 25 January 2023, Berisha's agreement with Vangjel Dule was revealed. According to the agreement, the PBDNJ would run their candidates in Finiq, Dropull and Himarë.[11] Even though Taulant Balla claimed that the Socialists (PS) do not need any coalition, by the end of January it was not clear whether the PS would run alone or with a coalition.[12] Edi Rama had stated that his party had selected every candidate for every region besides Vlorë and Durrës.[13] Ilirjan Celibashi, the head of the Central Election Commission, stated that neither Enkelejd Alibeaj nor Sali Berisha were allowed to register their candidates as the Democratic party of Albania before the deadline was on 7 March, meaning that the Democratic Party (PD) would not be allowed to run in the upcoming local elections.[14]
In February 2023, there was controversy around the alleged conncections between prime minister Edi Rama and Charles McGonigal, who was believed to be connected with Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska, and was also separately indicted for allegedly accepting payments from former Albanian intelligence Agron Neza.[15][16][17][18]
On 3 March 2023, the Democratic Party of Albania was given to Enkelejd Alibeaj.[19][20] Originally the Tirana Courts had originally accepted Sali Berisha's appeal.[21]On 11 March 2023, however, Alibeaj was not allowed to register the Democratic Party by the CEC, allegedly for lack of proper documentation. In fact, it appeared that Lulzim Basha was still the leader of the party, even though Basha had declared his resignation in March 2022. However Basha had never finalized his resignation in any written source. Alibeaj announced he would appeal against the decision of the CEC.[22]
Berisha's candidates were not allowed to register as the Democratic Party, but instead under the list of Ilir Meta's party. On 15 March 2023, Berisha and Meta announced that their coalition would be called Bashkë Fitojmë ("Together we win"). It would consist of the PBDNJ, the Freedom Party of Albania, Demochristian Party, and the majority of the Democratic Party of Albania.[23] Several Alibeaj's candidates would ultimately resign or endorse Berisha's candidates.[24][25][26][27]
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 Albania |
Partial elections March 2022
After the results of the 2019 elections on the President announced by-elections on March 6, 2022, as at the time there was no elected mayor in the six districts Vorë, Dibër, Shkodër, Lushnjë, Rrogozhine and Durrës. The candidates that had been elected in June 2019 in those communities could not take office because of criminal misconduct that had become known in the past or the candidate had died.[28][29]
The election did not help at a time for the Democratic Party, which was involved in internal power struggles.[30][31][32] Former party leader Sali Berisha was expelled from the party he helped found by the party leadership, but had previously personally conducted a party congress in which the participants had deposed the party leadership of Lulzim Basha.[33][34] In the partial elections in the six municipalities, a candidate from the Democratic Party and a Berisha candidate ran alongside a candidate from the Socialist Party. The Berisha loyalist candidates ran under the coalition name Shtëpia e Lirisë ("House of Freedom").[35][36] In all communities, the Shtëpia e Lirisë candidates received about significantly more votes than the official PD representatives, in Shkodër, Berisha's candidate won, while in the rest of the districts were won by the Socialist party.[37]
However, in the three voting stations of Bruçaj, Ndrejaj and Palaj, which are small villages in the northern mountains, elections were not held due to bad weather from heavy snowfall causing power cuts.[38]
| Districts | Turnout | Winner | Political party | PS | PD | SHeL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vorë | 41.04% | Blerim Shera | Socialist Party | 69.39% | 6.29% | 24.33% |
| Dibër | 41.99% | Rahim Spahiu | Socialist Party | 60.82% | 19.28% | 19.46% |
| Lushnjë | 35.88% | Eriselda Sefa | Socialist Party | 58.80% | 10.43% | 30.77% |
| Shkodër | 28.05% | Bardh Spahia | House of Freedom | 39.51% | 16.82% | 43.67% |
| Durrës | 26.57% | Emiriano Sako | Socialist Party | 58.47% | 11.85% | 29.68% |
| Rrogozhinë | 28.45% | Edison Memolla | Socialist Party | 60.73% | 21.96% | 17.31% |
Parties and coalitions
| Number | Party | Acronym | Chairman | Coalition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Together We Win Coalition[a] | BF | Ilir Meta | Bashkë Fitojmë |
| 2 | Socialist Party of Albania | PS | Edi Rama | Aleanca për Shqipërinë Europiane |
| 3 | Environmentalist Agrarian Party | PAA | Agron Duka | – |
| 4 | Republican Party of Albania | PRSH | Fatmir Mediu | – |
| 5 | Legality Movement Party | PLL | Shpetim Axhami | – |
| 6 | Social Democracy Party of Albania | PDS | Paskal Milo | – |
| 7 | Right Liberal Alliance[b] | ALD | Artur Roshi | Aleanca Liberale e Djathë |
| 8 | Social Democratic Party of Albania | PSD | Tom Doshi | – |
| 9 | Democratic Party of Albania | PD | Enkelejd Alibeaj | – |
| 10 | Movement for National Development | LZHK | Dashamir Shehi | – |
| 11 | New Democratic Spirit | FRD | Sali Shehu | – |
| 12 | Party for Justice, Integration and Unity | PDIU | Shpëtim Idrizi | – |
| 13 | Party of Europeanisation and Integration of Albania | PEISH | Rivelino Çuno | – |
| 14 | Democratic Alliance | AD | Eduard Abazi | – |
| 15 | Democratic Conviction | BD | Astrit Patozi | – |
| 16 | Party for the Protection of the Rights of Immigrants of Albania | PMDE | Ymer Kurti | – |
| 17 | National Arbnore Alliance | AAK | Gjet Ndoj | – |
| 18 | National Front Party | PBK | Adriatik Alimadhi | – |
| 19 | Party Alliance for Democracy and Solidarity | ADS | Gaqo Apostoli | – |
| 20 | Albanian Labor Movment | PLPSH | Genci Sakaj | – |
| 21 | Left Front | FM | Marko Dajti | – |
| 22 | Party of Albanian National Unity | PUK | Idajet Beqiri | – |
| 23 | Green Party of Albania | PGJ | Edlir Petanaj | – |
| 24 | Conservative Party | KONS | Bashkim Murati | – |
| 25 | New Movement Party | LRE | Arian Galdini | – |
| 26 | Alliance for Equality and European Justice | ABDE | Valentino Mustaka | – |
| 27 | National Conservative Party of Albania | PKKA | Kujtim Gjuzi | – |
| 28 | Party Defending the Rights of Albanian Workers | PMDPSH | Kadri Isufaj | – |
| 29 | Macedonian Alliance for European Integration | AMIE | Vasil Sterjovski | Aleanca për Shqipërinë Europiane |
| 30 | Albanian Emigration Party | PESh | Kostaq Papa | – |
| 31 | Albanian Democratic Reforms Party | PRDSh | Krenar Rryci | – |
| 32 | Communist Party of Albania | PKSH | Qemal Cicollari | – |
| 33 | Albanian Time Party | POSH | Zef Shtjefni | – |
| 34 | Christian Democratic Party of Albania | PKD | Dhimiter Muslia | – |
| 35 | Hashtag Initiative | NTH | Endrit Shabani | – |
| 36 | Move Together | BASHKË | Arlind Qori | – |
| 37 | Greek Ethnic Minority for the Future | MEGA | Kristo Kiço | – |
| 38 | Christian Democratic Alliance of Albania | ADK | Zef Bushati | – |
| 39 | Albanian Demochristian League | LDK | Mhil Gecaj | – |
| 40 | Albanian Future Party | PASH | Emin Subashi | – |
Polls
Tirana
| Pollster | Date | PS | BF | PD | LB | Dont know | Abstention | Lead |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EuroNews Albania | 8 May 2023 | 44.9 | 18.6 | 6.4 | 1.1 | 20.2 | 7.1 | 26.3 |
| EuroNews Albania | 14 April 2023 | 42.1 | 28.7 | 1.4 | 0.8 | 20.2 | 6.6 | 13.4 |
| EuroNews Albania | 17 March 2023 | 45.8 | 23.8 | - | - | 21.9 | 8.5 | 22 |
| EuroNews Albania | Febuary 2023 | 45.6 | 21 | - | - | 24.4 | 9 | 24.6 |
Mayor Elections
Every mayor is up for election, even those who were elected in 2022.
| County | City | Mayor | Party | Alliance | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Berat | Berat | Ervin Demo | Socialist Party | Aleanca për Shqipërinë Europiane | |
| Kuçova | |||||
| Poliçan | Adriatik Zotkaj | Socialist Party | Aleanca për Shqipërinë Europiane | ||
| Skrapar | |||||
| Ura Vajgurore | |||||
| Dibër | Bulqizë | ||||
| Dibër | |||||
| Klos | |||||
| Mat | |||||
| Durrës | Durrës | ||||
| Krujë | |||||
| Shijak | |||||
| Elbasan | Belsh | ||||
| Cërrik | |||||
| Elbasan | Gledian Llatja | Socialist Party | Aleanca për Shqipërinë Europiane | ||
| Gramsh | |||||
| Librazhd | |||||
| Peqin | |||||
| Përrenjas | |||||
| Fier | Divjakë | ||||
| Fier | |||||
| Lushnjë | |||||
| Mallakastër | |||||
| Patos | |||||
| Roskovec | |||||
| Gjirokastër | Dropull | ||||
| Gjirokastër | |||||
| Këlcyra | |||||
| Libohovë | |||||
| Memaliaj | |||||
| Përmet | |||||
| Tepelena | |||||
| Korçë | Devoll | ||||
| Kolonja | |||||
| Korça | |||||
| Maliq | |||||
| Pogradec | |||||
| Pustec | |||||
| Kukës | Has | ||||
| Kukës | |||||
| Tropojë | |||||
| Lezhë | Kurbin | ||||
| Lezhë | |||||
| Mirditë | |||||
| Shkodër | Fushë-Arrëz | ||||
| Malësia e Madhe | |||||
| Pukë | |||||
| Shkodër | |||||
| Vau i Dejës | |||||
| Tirana | Kamëz | Rakip Suli | Socialist Party | Aleanca për Shqipërinë Europiane | |
| Kavajë | |||||
| Rrogozhinë | |||||
| Tirana | |||||
| Vorë | Blerim Shera | Socialist Party | Aleanca për Shqipërinë Europiane | ||
| Vlorë | Delvinë | ||||
| Finiq | |||||
| Himarë | |||||
| Konispol | |||||
| Sarandë | |||||
| Selenicë | |||||
| Vlorë |
Council Seats
Every Council seat is up for election.
Notes
References
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- ^ "Albania votes amid opposition boycott". BBC News. 2019-06-30. Retrieved 2022-11-03.
- ^ "Deklarate | KQZ" (in Albanian). July 3, 2019. Retrieved 2022-11-03.
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- ^ "Opposition rallies again to get Albanian PM to quit". Reuters. 2019-06-08. Retrieved 2022-11-03.
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- ^ "Zgjedhjet lokale të 2023/ "Ja kush fiton", ish-deputeti bën deklaratën e fortë: Rakipi nuk flet kot, ka informacione për Bashën". sot.com.al. Retrieved 2022-11-03.
- ^ redi. "Kandidatët e mundshëm nga PS dhe PD për zgjedhjet lokale të 14 majit 2023". Gazeta Koha Jone | E perditshme e pavarur. Retrieved 2022-11-03.
- ^ "Berisha's, Alibeaj's Representatives to Resume Talks for Joint Local Polls Candidate". ALBANIA DAILY NEWS. Retrieved 2022-11-03.
- ^ "Belind Kellici Is DP's Official Candidate for Tirana Municipality". ALBANIA DAILY NEWS. Retrieved 2023-01-23.
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- ^ "PS "ndez" motorët për zgjedhjet vendore të 2023, ja kush janë kandidatët për kryebashkiakë që ka konfirmuar Rama në Shkodër dhe Elbasan më 14 maj". sot.com.al. Retrieved 2023-01-26.
- ^ Report TV -Celibashi paralajmëron mosregjistrimin e PD në zgjedhjet vendore: Zgjidhni ngërçin!, retrieved 2023-02-19
- ^ "Agron Neza (person A) in the American file, journalist: He introduced himself as an FBI man". politiko.al. Retrieved 2023-02-19.
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- ^ Sinoruka, Fjori (2023-03-03). "Tirana Court Rules Retrial in Main Opposition Party's Leadership Battle". Balkan Insight. Retrieved 2023-03-03.
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- ^ ""Bashkë fitojmë", PD dhe Partia e Lirisë dorëzojnë kërkesën në KQZ për regjistrimin e koalicionit". oranews.tv. 2023-03-15. Retrieved 2023-03-15.
- ^ "What is happening? Alibeaj 'resigns' again, another candidate withdraws from the race". sot.com.al. Retrieved 2023-04-14.
- ^ "Alibeaj in difficulties, the legal advisor of the Parliamentary Group resigns". politiko.al. Retrieved 2023-04-14.
- ^ Albania, Euronews (2023-03-29). "Why are candidates leaving Alibeaj? Out of 19 proposals, 5 are successful". Euronews Albania. Retrieved 2023-04-14.
- ^ "Vau i Dejes Municipal Council's Candidates Support Ex-PM Berisha's Nominee". ALBANIA DAILY NEWS. Retrieved 2023-04-14.
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- ^ "e-Voting as the magic ballot for European Parliamentary elections? Evaluating e-voting in the light of experiments in UK local elections", The European Union and E-Voting (Electronic Voting), Routledge, pp. 72–102, 2004-08-02, doi:10.4324/9780203391044-13, ISBN 978-0-203-39104-4, retrieved 2022-11-03
- ^ "Basha përjashton Berishën nga grupi parlamentar PD derisa të zbardhet çështja Non Grata". Ora News. Retrieved 2022-11-03.
- ^ "January 8 protest in the yard of the PD headquarters, Bardhi: Only someone who has lost his reason from a big problem calls". politiko.al. Retrieved 2022-11-03.
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