Edi Rama presents Socialist candidates in Elbasan, calls for broad support in May 11 elections

Albanian Prime Minister and Socialist Party leader Edi Rama presented the Socialist candidates for Elbasan where he aims to secure 100,000 votes. In the last parliamentary elections in 2021, the Socialist Party won eight out of 14 mandates in Elbasan, with 86,224 votes. Rama is urging citizens to vote for his party, drawing a parallel between the widespread support for banning TikTok and the necessity of supporting the Socialists to complete EU accession negotiations by 2027.

Why is this important: Elbasan is one of Albania’s largest electoral districts, with around 350,000 registered voters, although only 166,048 participated in the last election. Rama’s push for an overwhelming victory in this region is part of a broader strategy to consolidate Socialist dominance and ensure uninterrupted progress in Albania’s EU accession process.

Context: Rama emphasized that just as 95% of parents backed the TikTok ban regardless of political beliefs, they should vote with the same mindset for the Socialist Party.

“They thought as parents, not as Democrats or Socialists. Despite the fact that I was the one attending those meetings, people of all political affiliations were present. They weren’t thinking about parties. They didn’t see me as some boogeyman from the other side but as the head of government who could protect their children from a serious threat. 95% of them decided for their children. That is exactly what needs to happen on May 11 – people need to decide for their families and children.”

The Prime Minister further explained that every step Albania takes in the negotiation process is closely monitored by the European Commission, which evaluates not only government actions but also the opposition’s stance.

“We have overseers monitoring us every step of the way… Every week, our ministers travel to Brussels to report on what we did last week, not just last year. They hold us accountable for every single step. They also know exactly what the Swamp (a term Rama uses to describe the opposition) is doing, and they will make their assessment based on what the Albanian people decide.”

On the justice reform: Rama also accused the opposition of attempting to dismantle the judicial reforms, which he claims was made possible by the Socialist Party, not by SPAK’s Chief Prosecutor Altin Dumani.

“We won’t let Albanians believe that justice reform depends on one man. This is not about Dumani, who has our full respect and solidarity when faced with brutal attacks. But entering the EU ensures that no one can come along in the future and dismantle what we are building today. Joining the EU makes it impossible for any ‘swamp creature’ to reverse progress.”

What else: During the event, Rama also addressed the departure of a prominent Democratic Party MP, from the town of Peqin in Elbasan district, from his party. He left open the possibility of the MP, Dashnor Sula, joining the Socialists. Sula, an influential Democrat from Peqin, was one of the top-voted candidates in the DP primaries but was excluded from the party’s secure candidate list, leading to his departure.

“We are open to everyone who has Albania’s future in mind. The only ones who are not welcome are the Swamp’s salamanders and owls. They have no place here. But Dash Sula needs to go through a process. Maybe one day he will join us, but for now, he needs to be ‘disinfected’ – just like poultry going through quarantine.”

On the same day, aware of the potential loss of a crucial mandate in Elbasan, Sali Berisha called on Sula to return, acknowledging his significant influence within the Democratic Party. “Dashnor Sula is a key figure in the Democratic Party, with real contributions to this party. His place is in the DP.”