Diaspora vote: SP leads with over 55%, DP trails as CEC suspends counting of ballots from Greece
As the counting of diaspora ballots continues, preliminary results show the Socialist Party (SP) leading decisively. Out of 14,420 envelopes counted so far—part of the nearly 195,000 votes expected from Albanian citizens abroad—SP has secured 55.8% of the vote. The Democratic Party (DP), along with its allies, trails with 28.1%.
Why is this important: The diaspora vote, although not decisive in terms of mandates, is seen as a symbolic indicator of broader political trends and party appeal among Albanians living abroad. The current tally adds to SP’s overall national lead, reinforcing the narrative of a fourth consecutive mandate for Prime Minister Edi Rama’s party.
Vote breakdown so far:
SP: 8,273 votes (55.8%)
DP and allies: 4,105 votes (28.1%)
Nisma Shqipëria Bëhet: 1,205 votes (8.4%)
Partia Mundësia: 328 votes (2.99%)
Lëvizja Bashkë: 317 votes (2.15%)
Other parties: Each under 1%
What else: In a controversial decision, the Central Election Commission (CEC) halted the counting of ballots received from Greece. The decision came after a request by the Democratic Party, which claimed that many of the envelopes lacked proper documentation from voters. Although CEC chief Ilirjan Celibashi acknowledged that DP had not submitted concrete evidence of violations, the commission agreed to set aside all envelopes from Greece and continue counting only the ballots from other countries.
Reaction: SP officials strongly criticized the move. Taulant Balla, a senior SP figure, accused CEC of violating the law and bending to political pressure. He warned that setting aside thousands of diaspora votes without proper legal basis could damage the credibility of the electoral process.
Regional highlights: The Socialist Party leads in nearly all districts among the diaspora vote. In contrast, the Democratic Party leads only in Kukës and maintains a closer margin in Shkodër.
What’s next: With the process still ongoing, it remains unclear how many of the 194,000 expected diaspora votes will be counted. The decision on the Greek ballots may be challenged or revisited, depending on political and legal developments. Meanwhile, the strong SP performance abroad adds another layer of validation to the party’s projected nationwide victory.
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