Socialist Party Congress ignites spring election campaign

The Socialist Party of Albania held today its congress that marked the launch of its preparations for the upcoming parliamentary elections scheduled for next spring. Prime Minister Edi Rama made it clear that the party is aiming for a fourth consecutive term in power. According to Rama, this will be the tenth consecutive election that his party has won, and he asserted that it will be the greatest victory ever achieved.

Why is this important

While the opposition is still divided and its leader under house arrest accused of corruption and declared persona non grata by the United States and Great Britain, the Socialist Party lost no time in beginning its preparations. Among the most important lines in these preparations are efforts to open up the party to new members and the diaspora and make it appealing to the young generation. It also aims to introduce a more technocratic approach to governance in order to advance its ambitious objective of getting Albania ready for EU membership by 2030.

Highlighting the high expectations and ambitions of the Prime Minister and the party, Rama made it clear that he expects the party to score a major victory. “I want the Socialist Party to score a perfect ten in this tenth battle with the most spectacular result of the past decade,” Rama declared. “I want the spring elections to be not just a significant victory for the Socialist Party, but a major political triumph in relation to ourselves. I want the Socialist Party to be a mirror reflecting the hope, ambition, and great power of Albania as we aim to elevate our country to new heights by 2030. In our fourth term, we will complete everything we have promised and started.”

What was said

Rama touched on a number of important issues and announced a number of initiatives.

·         New Parliamentary Candidates Platform

The Prime Minister introduced a new platform for selecting parliamentary candidates, called “The Deputy We Want.” He emphasized that the upcoming parliamentary group will require not only experienced and responsible deputies but also fresh, dynamic individuals with diverse work experiences and strong ambition.

“The new platform will be operational in the coming weeks, and anyone interested in joining the Socialist Party’s team of deputies can register their name,” Rama explained.

·         Voting Rights for Emigrants

In a significant policy change, Albanian citizens living abroad will now be able to vote from their countries of residence following recent amendments to the electoral code approved by the parliament last Friday. Rama expressed his satisfaction with this development, addressing the Albanian diaspora with a message of inclusion.

“I am pleased that this will finally become a reality,” Rama said. “I urge Albanians living abroad to vote from where they are. If you cannot come to vote in person, send your vote by mail so we can decide together as a large family who should lead our common homeland.”

·         Anti-Corruption Reform and Opposition Response

For the past month, the Socialist Party has been pushing an anti-corruption reform in parliament aimed at overhauling every level of power through a special commission, though the opposition has not been involved. Rama reiterated the importance of this reform for Albania’s EU accession and reassured that it does not aim to control the new judicial institutions.

“Anti-corruption is fundamental to Albania’s future by 2030,” Rama asserted. “Those who claim that this reform is an attempt to control SPAK (Special Structure Against Corruption and Organized Crime) are mistaken. The EU’s detailed report highlights the need for reforms, particularly in the justice system, and we must take initiative and create the institutional capacity needed.”

·         SPAK and Socialist Officials Investigations

Since the establishment of SPAK, a significant number of high-ranking Socialist officials have faced investigations or imprisonment on charges related to corruption or abuse of power. At the congress, Rama addressed this issue, making it clear that those who have broken the law and abused the trust placed in them by the party must face justice.

“We are here to govern as effectively as possible,” Rama stated. “Anyone with evidence of corruption should bring it to SPAK. Those within our party who need to account for corruption have their address at SPAK. This is not a game; it is a significant separation of old habits from new standards. If you have been involved in corruption, whether a minister or not, you will be held accountable.”