ADVERTISEMENT

Country hopes for peaceful elections on path to Europe

Supporters attend a campaign rally of Albania's Prime Minister ahead of the upcoming general election in Durres

The Socialist Party of Prime Minister Edi Rama, 52, appears to have just a slight advantage over the centre-right Democratic Party of Lulzim Basha, 43, according to opinion polls.

After a 2009 election, the Rama-led Socialist opposition cried fraud and urged supporters onto the streets for months of protests. Three were shot dead in 2011.

When power changed hands in 2013, the right accepted defeat but engaged in a strategy of obstruction and boycotting the work of the 140-seat parliament, where insults have been exchanged since.

Although Basha, an admirer of US President Donald Trump, has officially led the Democrats for four years, his predecessor Sali Berisha, a former Albanian president and premier, remains a powerful and unifying figure on the right.

ADVERTISEMENT

His party had threatened to boycott the election until a month ago, raising concerns about the vote being unfree and unfair.

Although the two sides struck a deal, with the Democrats given key ministerial posts in the run-up to the vote, the rhetoric remains lively.

Trading slurs

"Edi Rama has supported a handful of people who... got their hands on the economy, and a handful of criminals who seized power and made Albania a drugstore," Basha told AFP, referring to Albania's illicit but lucrative cannabis trade.

Rama retorted to AFP that Basha "is an opposition leader who is not ready for the challenge of governing the country".

ADVERTISEMENT

On the campaign trail he lampooned his rival for lacking experience, calling him "a watermelon that one must open to see if it is ripe or not".

"Everyone is good for something, but Luli (Basha's nickname) is only good for putting people to sleep," the premier joked.

But beyond these skirmishes, this campaign was "the first where the two largest parties have practically laid down their arms," ​​according to political scientist Skender Minxhozi.

In the streets there are "no big banners, no posters, no flags," he said.

Another analyst, Ardian Civici, even bet on a "grand coalition" between the Socialists and Democrats.

ADVERTISEMENT

This would allow them to oust the Socialist Movement for Integration, the party of President-elect Ilir Meta, a 48-year-old who for 10 years has played kingmaker in Albanian politics, switching his support between sides.

Beyond personal animosities, the two main sides also agree on one overriding aim, said Civici: the opening of EU accession negotiations.

Inefficient justice

The challenges for the next government promise to be huge.

While Rama has set a post-election target of "above five percent" growth, Albania remains one of the poorest countries in Europe, with an average monthly salary of 340 euros.

ADVERTISEMENT

The country is being emptied of its youth, who are unable to find jobs at home. While 2.9 million Albanians live in the country, 1.2 million live abroad -- a world-record ratio.

Albania has been a candidate for EU accession since 2014, but membership remains a far-off goal.

In its last report on the country, the EU notably criticised the "slow and inefficient" judicial system in which "corruption remained prevalent", with a low number of convictions for organised crime.

Rama says ongoing judicial reform will lead to "good results", although it will take "a decade or so" to have a judicial system that meets European standards.

"Even France has not succeeded in ending corruption," he said, but the current reform is going to "bring it down to an acceptable level" in Albania.

ADVERTISEMENT

It will also be necessary to convince foreigners of the authorities' determination to end the scourge of cannabis.

Polls will be open from 0500 GMT until 1700 GMT under the eye of 3,000 election observers, including 300 foreigners.

JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:

Email: eyewitness@pulse.ng

Recommended articles

Federal Govt set to sue Binance ltd, officials for tax evasion on April 4

Federal Govt set to sue Binance ltd, officials for tax evasion on April 4

What Nigerian law says about treatment of people with disabilities

What Nigerian law says about treatment of people with disabilities

Gambling investment is evil, will take away everything - Cleric warns youths

Gambling investment is evil, will take away everything - Cleric warns youths

All teachers need to learn digital skills to earn their students’ respect

All teachers need to learn digital skills to earn their students’ respect

Lagos lawmaker begins road construction in Yaba to ease residents' plights

Lagos lawmaker begins road construction in Yaba to ease residents' plights

Over 100 inmates in Kano seek mercy, review of death sentences

Over 100 inmates in Kano seek mercy, review of death sentences

FG shuts KFC outlet that 'humiliated' Gbenga Daniel's wheelchair-bound son

FG shuts KFC outlet that 'humiliated' Gbenga Daniel's wheelchair-bound son

Reps vow to retrieve sold Govt helicopters, summon aviation ministers

Reps vow to retrieve sold Govt helicopters, summon aviation ministers

Distress of abducted Kuriga school children led to successful rescue - DHQ

Distress of abducted Kuriga school children led to successful rescue - DHQ

Pulse Sports

Nigeria vs Mali: Has Finidi George done enough to land Super Eagles job permanently?

Nigeria vs Mali: Has Finidi George done enough to land Super Eagles job permanently?

I want to emulate Keshi and win the AFCON - Finidi George shares ambitious Super Eagles dream

I want to emulate Keshi and win the AFCON - Finidi George shares ambitious Super Eagles dream

Michelle Alozie: I had to do it because of African referees

Michelle Alozie: I had to do it because of African referees

AC Milan star reveals he was named after Super Eagles legend Tijani Babangida

AC Milan star reveals he was named after Super Eagles legend Tijani Babangida

Give him the job! Super Eagles fans beg NFF to make Finidi George permanent coach after Nigeria's win over Ghana

Give him the job! Super Eagles fans beg NFF to make Finidi George permanent coach after Nigeria's win over Ghana

Super Eagles 2-1 Black Stars: Nigerians praise Iwobi, Lookman, Finidi George after friendly victory against Ghana

Super Eagles 2-1 Black Stars: Nigerians praise Iwobi, Lookman, Finidi George after friendly victory against Ghana

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT