Albania concluded its election campaign last night with major rallies in Tirana, as Prime Minister Edi Rama and opposition leader Sali Berisha made final appeals to voters ahead of parliamentary elections scheduled for Sunday.
Rama closed his campaign with a rally at Tirana’s Olympic Park, promoting the central slogan “Albania 2030 in the EU” and promising closer European integration. Addressing thousands of supporters waving Albanian and European Union flags, Rama expressed confidence that his ruling Socialist Party (SP) would secure at least 78 seats in the 140-seat parliament. “Mathematically, we will rise even higher – with no less than 78 seats,” he said.
Rama emphasized the symbolism of holding the final rally on May 9, Europe Day, stating, “I do not believe in coincidences, and it is no coincidence that we are here today, on Europe Day, to say the last word of this journey… For our European Albania. For Albania in the European Union.”
He also criticized his rival, calling Berisha an “owl” and predicting he would reject the election outcome. “The owl [Berisha] will thank the people for the victory on May 11. On Monday afternoon, he will sound the alarm about the electoral fraud. And on Tuesday morning, he will call the people to revolution,” Rama said.
Berisha, aged 80, held his closing rally on Nea Avenue with his Democratic Party of Albania. As reported by campaign sources, he was joined by representatives of the German CDU/CSU and the British Conservatives. Berisha promised to forge strong ties with the United States and former President Donald Trump, praising campaign advisor Chris LaCivita. “I guarantee you that we will establish very good relations with Donald Trump and the US in all areas,” Berisha said. Referring to LaCivita, he added: “Dear Mr. Chris LaCivita, architect of the greatest comeback in the history of mankind with the free vote, the return of President Donald Trump to the White House, we are grateful to you for the decision you made to engage with all your capabilities in the return of the Democratic Party to power.”
The vote, which begins at 7 a.m. tomorrow, will see 3.7 million Albanians eligible to elect a new parliament, including diaspora voters participating for the first time via postal voting.
As reported by election observers, several new political parties unaffiliated with the traditional blocs have emerged on the scene. These include “Levizja Bashke,” a left-wing group with activist origins, “Shqiperia behet,” formed by the anti-corruption movement “Thurje,” and “Mundesia,” led by former Democratic Party member and businessman Agron Shehaj. Some polls suggest these groups could gain parliamentary representation, which would secure them access to public funding and media time.
The Socialist Party is widely seen as the frontrunner, while the opposition remains fragmented ahead of the vote.
