CEC certification clears final hurdle; single Nisma mandate awarded to political newby

More than 100 days after the 11 May elections, Albania’s Electoral College reviewed the last appeal, enabling the Central Election Commission (CEC) to finalize results. The CEC’s decision assigns the only mandate of the coalition “Nisma Shqipëria Bëhet” to the top name on its closed candidate list, Ana Dajko, a 60-year-old from Saranda with no prior political career.

Why is this important: Certification was delayed by an intra-coalition fight inside “Nisma Shqipëria Bëhet,” undermining the newcomers’ pledge to do politics differently. With the Electoral College’s confirmation, the institutional calendar can proceed on time.

Context: Coalition partners Adriatik Lapaj and Endri Shabani populated the closed list with relatives under an understanding that, post-vote, those names would resign so the mandate could pass to the most-voted open-list candidate. Lapaj had publicly pledged to forgo the seat if the coalition won only one mandate, but later changed his tune and claimed the mandate as the lists most voted candidate. This led to a protracted and ugly fight that broke the alliance and the claim of its leaders to be the new face of politics in Albania. The decision of the Electoral College means that both leaders are now definitely out of parliament.

What’s next: The current legislature ends 9 September and the President must decree the opening of the new Parliament within 10 days.

• The constitutive session (procedural only) is chaired by the oldest MP—81-year-old Sali Berisha but if he declines, the role passes to the next in line.
• After mandate verification, 140 MPs are sworn in.
• Within 10 days of the new term’s start, Prime Minister Edi Rama must present the government program and cabinet for a confidence vote (simple majority required), followed by swearing-in before the President.
• The Socialist Party’s National Assembly, slated for early September, is expected to preview cabinet and internal changes.

Opposition stance: The Democratic Party says it will not recognize the elections but signals it will use parliamentary instruments such as inquiry committees rather than boycott. Formal strategy decisions are due from party forums in the coming days.