Why is this important: Macron’s extended stay highlights a deepening strategic relationship between France and Albania. The visit produced new cooperation agreements, financial commitments, and a strong endorsement of Albania’s EU membership prospects.

Why is this important: The summit positions Albania not only as a regional hub for diplomacy, but also as a growing investment destination. Key themes included defense sovereignty, innovation, and the future of European leadership — with major investors publicly endorsing Albania’s potential.

Why is this important: With over 45 events on the program, the initiative creates a dynamic platform for international collaboration, public reflection, and artistic expression. Performances in music, theatre, film, exhibitions, and discussions will explore themes such as identity, memory, freedom, belonging, and love.

Why is this important: Berisha’s landslide defeat was no surprise. Every major poll for months predicted it. His party’s closed and tightly controlled candidate list — stacked with loyalists — was widely seen as a list designed to keep Berisha safe at the helm of DP in case of loss. Yet, despite the overwhelming pre-election data and the outcome confirming it, Berisha is now claiming electoral manipulation. He has provided no evidence, and his narrative is widely viewed as a tactic to cling to the party’s leadership power rather than face accountability.

Why is this important: It was one of the most significant international events ever held in Albania, elevating the country’s diplomatic standing and role in European politics. Coming mere days after the elections, the Summit amounted to a full European endorsement of Edi Rama’s victory and fourth mandate.

Why this is important: The juxtaposition is hard to miss: while the former prime minister and current opposition leader insists the vote was manipulated by “a narco-regime,” international institutions and Western heads of state are embracing the legitimacy of the elections. Leaders from across Europe, including French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, have publicly congratulated Prime Minister Edi Rama on what they describe as a clear and democratic victory.

Why this is important: Rama’s post-election outreach to European audiences reinforces Albania’s positioning as a committed EU candidate country. His framing of the Socialist Party’s win as a moment for political maturity and reform seeks to consolidate international legitimacy while pressuring the opposition to accept the outcome.

Why this is important: This rift signals a crisis of representation inside the DP. Figures known for their technical, issue-focused, and reformist stances—like Ilir Alimehmeti and Jorida Tabaku—attracted strong support in the open contest. Yet, parliamentary mandates will largely go to Berisha loyalists who benefit from party votes on the closed list. The gap between voter preference and actual representation underscores the growing frustration among the DP electorate and further complicates Berisha’s position, as he remains unwilling to relinquish party leadership.

Why is this important: These latest developments underscore the scale of SP’s electoral success, reaching a solid 83-seat majority, just one mandate shy of a qualified majority. The DP’s continued erosion—even in major districts like Tirana—highlights internal weaknesses, poor electoral strategy, and growing public disillusionment. SP’s open-list victories show strong voter engagement with its candidates, while DP’s failure to elect any open-list MPs in key districts reflects a lack of local support and organizational strength.

What did Meloni say: In a warm message of support, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni praised the outcome of the elections and highlighted the strategic partnership between Italy and Albania.