Description: Polling stations in Albania opened on Sunday as the parliamentary elections once again saw old rivals clash, driving their campaigns on the back of the country’s European future. Socialist Edi Rama led a campaign against conservative Sali Berisha with both parties fueling their political campaigns with pledges to tackle paramount socio – economic issues burdening the country’s path towards EU. Albania has faced mounting criticism over corruption, as the country is plagued by scandals that enticed governing individuals in cohorts with the country’s vast organized crime landscape. Corruption, alongside volatile problems with migration, legislative compliance and organized crime represented the largest problems both Rama and Berisha pledged to fight against in order for the country to receive a potential chance for EU accession. Albania in face of the elections banned TikTok under the pretext of the app being used for cyber bullying and incitement, as both candidates led their social media campaigns through Facebook. The Central Election Commission announced a 41.7% turnout in the elections with the Albanian diaspora getting the chance to vote through email, with the voting results expected to be announced within 48 hours.
Impact: Albania’s parliamentary elections aren’t expected to raise the country’s EU prospects and regional ambitions as the unchanged political landscape would further contribute towards the country’s integratory stagnation. Rama and Berisha have been on Albania’s political scene ever since the fall of communism in the country in the 1990, as they have both followed suit with the widely spread negative tradition on the Balkan political landscape, which interconnected politicians with organized crime figures. Despite being crucial strategic NATO partner, the country still faces severe threats and risks stemmed mostly from issues originating within the country’s struggle with systemic corruption. The country’s EU ambitions would continue to stagnate after the election, as both candidates so far had revolving terms in government and haven’t substantially contributed in any way to broaden the country’s political and regional horizons.