Edi Rama Wins Historic Fourth Consecutive Parliamentary Election in Albania

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama secured a fourth consecutive term in the parliamentary election held on 11/05/2025, extending his Socialist Party's rule, which began in 2013. The Socialist Party won 83 of the 140 seats in Albania's parliament, retaining an absolute majority. The opposition Democratic Party-led coalition, headed by former Prime Minister Sali Berisha, secured 50 seats. The election also marked the first time Albanian citizens living abroad could vote by post in a parliamentary election. Rama campaigned on economic development, judicial reforms, and Albania's ambition to join the European Union by 2030. The election took place amid concerns about corruption, political polarisation, and the independence of public institutions. International observers noted that the election was competitive but identified concerns involving the misuse of public resources and unequal campaign conditions. The result allowed Rama to continue leading the government, with European Union accession negotiations remaining a central policy priority.