SP secures 83 seats after Vlora win, DP loses ground in Tirana

The Socialist Party (SP) has again clinched its 83rd mandate in the 2025 parliamentary elections after securing a ninth seat in Vlora, reaffirming its dominant position nationally. Meanwhile, the Democratic Party (DP) has lost another seat in Tirana, bringing its total to 13 in the capital.

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.

Context: In Vlora, with 325 out of 449 ballot boxes counted, SP emerged with 9 seats. Damian Gjiknuri leads the open-list vote for SP, followed by Ardit Bido, Vullnet Sinaj, Vasil Llajo, and Brunilda Mersini. Notably, Ina Majko, representing the Roma community, did not secure enough votes, though Prime Minister Edi Rama has pledged her a ministerial role in the new cabinet.

DP, in contrast, has failed to win any open-list seats in Vlora. Petraq Gjikuria, a high-profile candidate in Himarë, remains outside parliament.

In Tirana, DP lost one mandate to the small opposition party Mundësia, further shrinking its parliamentary presence as the vote count nears completion.