Berisha registers election coalition just before deadline, offering key seats for allies

Just minutes before the deadline for coalition registration at midnight on March 3, the Democratic Party (DP), after lengthy negotiations with its allies, successfully registered its coalition with the Central Election Commission (KQZ). The coalition, which brings together 26 parties, is led by Sali Berisha and has been officially named ” The Democratic Party – Alliance for a Majestic Albania.”

Why is this important: The agreement secures eight guaranteed seats in the closed list for five of PD’s allies, ensuring their presence in parliament. The Party of Freedom (PL), led by Ilir Meta, received the largest share with four safe seats, while other traditional allies, like Fatmir Mediu, Vangjel Dule, Agron Duka, and Shpëtim Idrizi each secured one. Most of PD’s allies lack independent electoral weight, having not run separately since 2017, relying instead on PD’s lists.

Context: Aside from the PD-led coalition, two other coalitions were also registered with the Central Election Commission (KQZ) on Monday, the final deadline for submission.

• The alliance between Dashamir Shehi’s LZHK and Enkelejd Alibeaj’s “Djathtas 1912”
• The coalition between “Nisma Thurje” and “Shqipëria Bëhet”

Meanwhile, the Socialist Party (SP) will compete alone in these elections, as it has in previous electoral cycles.

In a press conference, Berisha expressed confidence that the formation of his broad coalition will allow for the maximum mobilization of votes, increasing their chances of victory on May 11.

Sali Berisha: “I guarantee you that this list is 100 times better than the one I could have created with my advisors.”

Although Berisha acknowledged that his coalition allies lack electoral weight – he chose to call them “modest parties” in terms of votes – he insisted that when combined, they represent an electorate of hundreds of thousands of votes.

Rama reaction: Prime Minister Edi Rama, the leader of the ruling Socialist Party, mocked the opposition’s coalition, referring to it as “the swamp front.”

“This is a swamp with one owl and all kinds of other species in it. Just wait until their candidate list is revealed—pay close attention to that closed list! Whether you like it or not, the lowest political species will still be there.”

What’s next: With coalitions now officially registered, the focus shifts to the electoral campaign, as parties prepare to mobilize their supporters ahead of the May 11 elections. Meanwhile, Rama and the Socialist Party remain confident, ridiculing the opposition’s fragmented alliance and its prospects for victory.