President consults parties on election date amid Democratic Party boycott
The President of Albania has initiated consultations with parliamentary parties before setting the date for the upcoming elections. The Democratic Party (DP), however, has announced it will boycott the process, dismissing it as a staged formality with the date allegedly predetermined by the Prime Minister.
Why is this important: The election date is a constitutional prerogative of the President of the Republic. Traditionally, before announcing the date for parliamentary or local elections, the President consults with political parties, particularly those in Parliament, ensuring transparency and inclusivity in electoral planning. With no substantial disagreements, claims, or demands from parties regarding a specific election date, the DP’s refusal appears more as an attack on the President and an application of a traditional DP tactic of intimidating public officials by publicly accusing them of collusion with their opponents.
Context: In a statement shared on social media, DP Parliamentary Group leader Gazment Bardhi described the November 25 meeting with the President as a “farce,” claiming that the date has already been decided by Prime Minister Edi Rama. According to Bardhi, President Bajram Begaj is expected only to rubber-stamp the government’s decision.
On Thursday morning, the President continued consultations with several leaders of parliamentary parties. Meetings with representatives of the Socialist Party (PS) are scheduled for Monday. So far, the parties that have met with the President have proposed May 4 as the potential date for the 2025 elections.
Go deeper
CEC raises concerns over ballot delivery for diaspora voting
Published on November 21, 2024
Why is this important: Under the current Electoral Code, candidate lists must be submitted 30 days before elections. Following this, there is a brief period for appeals, and an additional 2-3 days required for printing ballots. This means the ballots will be ready approximately 20 days before election day. However, postal companies have stated that they require up to 40 days to deliver ballots to registered diaspora addresses and return them to Albania for counting.
Preserving the Albanian language: National Assembly marks historic milestone
Published on November 21, 2024
Why is this important: The Assembly takes place 116 years after the Congress of Manastir, a pivotal event for the Albanian language and Albania itself, which was then under Ottoman rule. At the time, the country faced significant risks of territorial division by neighboring states and a common language was of enormous unifying importance for a nation that otherwise was divided into four main religions. Last year, November 22 was officially designated as a national holiday to honor the adoption of the Albanian alphabet.
Address ‘passivization’ of Albanians in South Serbia: EU and Kosovo leaders react to Serbian Constitutional Court ruling
Published on November 21, 2024
Why is this important: The deactivation of addresses for Albanians in southern Serbia has been a contentious issue. This practice risks disenfranchising thousands of Albanians, leaving them without identification documents and access to basic services. Critics argue that it reflects systematic discrimination against the Albanian minority, threatening their political and social representation.