Albania’s new parliament to convene first session on September 12
The first plenary session of Albania’s 11th legislature will be held on September 12, following a decree signed Monday by President Bajram Begaj, as required by the Constitution.
Why is this important: In the May 11 elections, the Socialist Party secured 83 parliamentary seats, Democrats 53, PSD 3, “Mundësia” 2, and “Lëvizja Bashkë” and “Nisma Shqipëria Bëhet” one seat each. For 53 Socialists and 13 Democrats, it will be their first time taking a seat in parliament.
Context: The inaugural session will be split into two parts. In the morning, the mandate verification commission will meet, after which all 140 MPs will take the oath of office. In the afternoon, lawmakers will elect the new Speaker of Parliament through a secret ballot without debate.
Attention will also turn to the names of the new government cabinet. Prime Minister Edi Rama has remained discreet about his choices, often surprising even his own candidates, who in previous terms learned of their ministerial roles during Socialist Party forums, in front of members and cameras. This approach is expected to continue with the upcoming “Rama 4” cabinet.
On September 11, one day before the plenary session, Rama called the Socialist Party’s National Assembly, where he is set to present the new cabinet lineup and outline key priorities for the government’s new mandate.
Next steps: Parliament’s first session on September 12 will mark the formal start of Albania’s 11th legislature, with the election of a new Speaker and the swearing-in of MPs. The unveiling of the Rama 4 cabinet will follow immediately after.
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