News

Albania Sets June 28 Election Date, Looks To EU, Javno (2009)

The Albanian elections will be held on 28 June, this event is a kind os test if Albania can baecoma a full member of the EU.

Albania Acts to Clean Up Campaign Finance, Balkaninsight.com (2008)

Under international pressure to act, quarreling parties unite over need to bring greater transparency to shady area of campaign contributions.

EU calls for electoral reforms, New Europe (2008)

European Union Foreign Policy chief urged Albania to reform its electoral laws so it can move forward with European integration, AENews reported.

Press release of the CEC on constitutional amendments, CEC of Albania (2008)

Press release of the CEC on constitutional amendments

Progress made on Albanian electoral system, OSCE (2008)

OSCE article is about the adoption of constitutional changes to the electoral system in Albania, saying he hoped they will provide further impetus for timely completion of the electoral reform.

President finally elected; Topi takes office this week, New Europe (2007)

Last week, a president was finally chosen to lead the country. Bamir Topi, vice chairman of the ruling conservative Democratic Party, was elected as Albania's new president on July 20.

Progress made on Albanian electoral system, OSCE (2008)

OSCE article about the adoption of constitutional changes to the electoral system in Albania.

Protesters march in Albania amid vote-rigging claims (BBC, 2010)

Tens of thousands people have marched on the Albanian capital to demand a partial recount of last year's election amid opposition claims of vote-rigging.

Election row spills into Albania's streets (BBC News, 2010)

Thousands of opposition Socialist activists have rallied in the Albanian capital Tirana, demanding transparency in last year's general election.

Albanian opposition rallies again against government (SETimes.com, 2010)

Thousands of members and supporters of the opposition Socialist Party (SP) rallied in Tirana on Friday (May 14th) on behalf of about 200 people who started hunger strikes two weeks ago, demanding transparency in the June 2009 general elections.

Albanian opposition suggests crisis solution (SETimes.com, 2010)

Opposition Socialist Party (SP) leader Edi Rama said on Sunday (May 16th) that a formula to resolve the longstanding political crisis has been sent to the government.

Socialist International calls for transparent elections in Albania (SETimes.com, 2010)

A parliamentary investigation must be conducted in Albania to pave the way for eventual EU integration.

One Year After Elections Albania Still Divided (Balkan Insight, 2010)

One year ago, on June 28, 2009, roughly 1.6 million Albanians headed to the polls to vote for members of parliament in what was undoubtedly one of the most closely scrutinized elections in the country’s history.

Albanian citizens' group seeks referendum on 2009 ballots (SETimes.com, 2010)

A group of citizens in Tirana submitted a request to the Central Elections Commission (CEC) on Monday (August 9th) to organise a referendum on whether ballots from the June 2009 elections should be recounted.

Albania's Berisha says ruling majority ready to investigate elections (SETimes.com, 2010)

Prime Minister Sali Berisha reiterated on Tuesday (August 10th) that the ruling majority is ready to implement a European Parliament resolution on investigating the contested June 2009 elections.

SMI calls for electoral reform in Albania (SETimes.com, 2010)

The Socialist Movement for Integration (SMI) on Tuesday (August 17th) urged all political parties to work for electoral reforms.

Albania's Topi sets date for 2011 local elections (Southeast European Times, 2010)

President Bamir Topi signed a decree Monday (September 6th) setting May 8th 2011 as the date for local elections. The move came only two days before the deadline to issue the document expired.

Albania: The next local elections on May 8, 2011 (EMportal, 2010)

The next local elections in Albania will be organized on May 8, 2011. The President of Albania issued a decree on Monday, where he defined this date as the day when the electoral challenge of the 65 municipalities and 319 communes will be held.

OSCE Criticises Albanian Political Dispute (BalkanInsight.com, 2010)

Tirana’s political elite has been criticised by the OSCE for its failure to resolve the dispute over the results of the June 2009 parliamentary elections.

Albania: Edi Rama warns government over document destruction (Southeast European Times, 2010)

Opposition Socialist Party (SP) leader Edi Rama warned the government Tuesday (September 21st) that if materials related to the disputed June 2009 general elections are destroyed, then negotiations between the ruling Democratic Party (DP) and the opposition to resolve the crisis will fail.

Albania's Berisha discusses electoral reform with OSCE's Wollfarth (SETimes.com, 2010)

The government's initiative to start reforming the election system was the main topic discussed on Tuesday (October 19th) between Prime Minister Sali Berisha and OSCE head Eugen Wollfarth, who says the time is right, as Albanian institutions are preparing for local elections in mid-May 2011.

Albania Press Review - October 19, 2010 (Balkan Insight, 2010)

Election reform in focus, police officer killed in Vlora, Albanians say country not ready for EU

OSCE Presence supports participation of Albanian women in politics (OSCE, 2010)

Women active in local government, political parties and civil society gathered in Bajram Curri, northern Albania to discuss ways of enhancing their participation in the political and public life, in a forum organized by the OSCE Presence in Albania.

EU, OSCE project launches campaign to promote use of new address system by Albanian citizens (OSCE, 2010)

A public awareness campaign to promote the use of Albania's new standardized address system was launched today, in framework of the project "Modernisation of Administrative Address and Civil Registration Systems", funded with EUR 2.5 million by the EU, and additional funds by the OSCE and US government and implemented by OSCE.

OSCE urges Albanian political parties to include women (SETimes, 2010)

The OSCE head to Tirana Eugen Wollfarth urged various political parties to make sure women get their legal 30% representation in the next local elections.

Albania burns ballots from 2009 general elections, SETimes (2011)

The Central Election Commission (CEC) began to burn ballots Friday (January 7th) used during the 2009 general elections. The deadline to clear all boxes is March 5th prior to the May elections.

ODIHR heads to Albania' to assess pre-election environment and the preparations for the elections, Balkans.com (2011)

ODIHR will send a needs assessment mission to the country from 17 to 21 January based on an invitation to observe local government elections in Albania scheduled for 8 May 2011.

Threats fly, tensions escalate between political rivals in Albania, CNN (2011)

The showdown between Albania's ruling government and its political opposition showed no signs of abating Sunday, with Socialist Party leader Edi Rama calling for yet another demonstration despite fresh threats from the nation's prime minister.

Albania's parliament votes for probe into anti-government protests, Deutsche Welle (2011)

Albanian ministers have voted to launch an investigation into anti-government unrest that hit the country last week. Opposition leaders have responded by calling for more rallies over the next week.

3 anti-government protesters killed in clash with police in Albania, CNN (2011)

3 protesters were killed during a demonstration against the prime minister.

EU urges Albania to defuse political crisis, BBC (2011)

The European Union has urged Albania's rival political leaders to restore respect for state institutions.

Local elections threatened in Albania, SETimes (2011)

Local elections of the 8th May are in jeopardy since the political parties are lagging behind in preparations with the Central Election Commission (CEC)

OSCE backs Albania's Topi on local elections, SETimes (2011)

OSCE Ambassador in Albania Eugen Wollfarth offered full support to President Bamir Topi's effort to push ahead with plans for the upcoming local elections.

OSCE, EU: conditions better for upcoming Albanian elections, SETimes (2011)

Representatives of the OSCE and EU in Tirana said on Thursday (February 17th) that the upcoming May 8th local elections will be held in better conditions than previous elections.

OSCE Presence in Albania trains women to run in upcoming local elections, OSCE (2011)

Albanian President Bamir Topi and the Head of the OSCE Presence, Ambassador Eugen Wollfarth, presented certificates to women who completed an OSCE training project for female candidates in upcoming local government elections.

ODIHR: No pressure exerted on us for the elections of May 8th, Albeu (2011)0

ODIHR spokesman in Tirana, Giuseppe Milazzo denied the words that its is exerted pressure on OSCE-ODIHR about the Albanian elections of May 8th.

Albanian parties hold election rallies, SETimes (2011)

Political parties began campaigning for the May 8th local elections.

Albanian election commission adopts new lists for May vote, SETimes (2011)

The Central Election Commission (CEC) adopted new lists for regional commission members, updating the names of opposition representatives.

Albania, observation of the elections costs 1 million Euro, Albeu (2011)

About 970 thousand euros will spend OSCE / ODIHR in order to bring 400 short-term observers in Tirana, writes today "Gazeta Shqiptare". This amount will be spent by observers from May 4th to May 12th, when is the deadline for the international monitors of the local elections of May 8th.

EU warns Albania over election standards, European Voice (2011)

The European Union has warned Albania that it will fall even further behind in its bid to join the EU if local elections on 8 May fail to meet international standards.

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Albania’s local elections were competitive and transparent, but political parties acted irresponsibly, observers say, OSCE (2011)

According to international observers the local elections in Albania were competitive and tranparent although on election day accured some procedural difficulties. So far the counting has been transparent but has been delayed in many areas.

Albania: Top electoral court upholds victory of governing party's candidate in the capital, The Canadian Press (2011)

Albania's top electoral court has upheld the victory of the governing party's candidate in the mayoral race for the capital.

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Albania unable to hold elections, EU admits, EurActiv (2011)

The article reports that EU High Representative Catherine Ashton and Enlargement Commissioner Štefan Füle believed "The elections in Tirana were not good as they demonstrated beyond doubt that the electoral framework needs to be reformed," extending these comments to include all of Albania.

OSCE publishes the report for Albania in September, Albeu (2011)

OSCE is preparing a report about Albania`s current political situation including the elections were held on 8 May 2011. It will be reported to the OSCE Permanent Council in Vienna in early September.

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EU eyes Albania's presidential election, Outcome Magazine (2012)

Before an upcoming presidential election in Albania’s Parliament, the European Commissioner for Enlargement Stefan Fule said that it might impact Albania’s integration to the European Union and therefore elections will be closely watched by him.

Albania fails a second time to elect a president, KyivPost (2012)

Albania’s second attempt to elect a president in Parliament came to no avail. They have 3 more attempts to agree, otherwise early national elections will be held.

Albania Fails to Elect President in Third Round, Balkaninsight (2012)

During third round of president election before the parliament in Albania, no candidates were submitted to an actual vote on the floor of the assembly. The fourth and, if needed, fifth rounds will require simple majority of votes for a candidate to be elected.

Albanian parliament picks new president, Aljazeera (2012)

Albanian Parliament after 3 failed attempts finally elected new president Bujar Nishani by a simple majority – 73 votes out of the 140 seat parliament.

DP-SP reach consensus, pact for the electoral reform, Albanian Screen (2012)

The special commission of the Electoral Reform approved the law on elections which would render the new electoral reform introducing new procedures in formation of Central Electoral Commission, the use of technology in the electoral process and some other changes.

Albania Corruption Worst Before Elections, Study Says, Balkan Insight (2012)

Corruption issues worsen during the time of elections. Statistics show a significant increase of TV licenses granted around the time of elections.