July 25, 2024 – Tirana: Albania’s two most significant political forces—the ruling Socialist Party (SP) and the main opposition Democratic Party (DP)—have reached a substantial agreement on electoral reform ahead of the 2025 parliamentary elections. However, this reform is already facing sharp criticism for not going far enough to empower voters.
Partial Candidate Lists: A Limited Choice for Voters
Under the new deal, candidate lists will only be partially opened, offering voters limited influence over who represents them in parliament. Specifically, two-thirds of the candidate lists will be open for preferential voting. At the same time, the remaining third will stay closed, allowing party leaders to handpick their candidates—a practice that has persisted since 2008. Although voters can now choose from a pre-selected list, the reform maintains the status quo, with most MPs still being determined by party elites.
In practical terms, over 100 of the 140 parliamentary seats will still be controlled by party leaders, leaving less than 40 seats to be decided by voters.
Party Leaders Defend the Reform as a Democratic Compromise
Oert Bylykbashi, the DP’s lead MP on electoral reform, admitted that while the agreement falls short of their goal for fully open lists, it represents a significant improvement over the previous system. “It’s not perfect, but it’s a step forward,” Bylykbashi stated at a press conference, acknowledging that the compromise was partly aimed at achieving gender balance in parliament.
Similarly, Arben Pellumbi of the ruling SP described the reform as democratic, though not flawless. “Today, we addressed the Constitutional Court’s rulings. Democracy involves the party acting as the intermediary between voters and power,” Pellumbi told journalists.
Critics argue the Reform Serves Party Elites.
Experts, however, remain sceptical. Kristaq Kume, head of the Institute for Electoral Systems, criticised the reform as a self-serving move by top politicians. “This agreement primarily protects the interests of party leaders and those in power,” Kume remarked in a recent interview. Independent election observers also expressed concerns that the reform fails to address key recommendations from international organisations, including the OSCE/ODIHR, on issues like voter intimidation, abuse of state resources, and political party financing.
Postal Voting for Albanians Abroad: A Welcome Innovation with Challenges
One of the most significant changes introduced by the reform is allowing Albanians living abroad to vote by mail. With nearly half of the Albanian electorate residing outside the country, this is a crucial step forward. Voters abroad must register online, declare their permanent address, and return their ballots to the Central Election Commission in Albania. However, experts caution that these procedures require further refinement to ensure that overseas voters are not only able to participate but are also adequately represented in the legislative process.
“While it’s commendable that Albanians abroad can finally vote, we must ensure their voices are genuinely heard in parliament,” Kume noted.
Concerns Over the Lack of Transparency in Negotiations
The process leading to the reform has also raised concerns. Critics argue that negotiations between the SP and DP were conducted behind closed doors, excluding other interested parties, resulting in last-minute agreements that were neither publicly debated nor fully transparent. This approach, they warn, risks blurring the lines between party and state, undermining democratic principles and the integrity of Albania’s electoral system.
As the country heads toward its 2025 elections, the debate over this reform will likely intensify, with many questioning whether it genuinely advances Albania’s democratic process.
