MPs return to Parliament after campaign trail
After nearly two months on the campaign trail, members of Albania’s outgoing Parliament return to legislative work on Thursday, May 29. The Conference of Chairpersons will convene at 10:00 a.m. to approve a three-week working calendar. The final session of this legislature is scheduled for July 8.
Why this is important: This is the first face-to-face session between the winners of the May 11 elections and an opposition that will remain in that role for the next four years. While formal in nature, the session is expected to preview the opposition’s renewed institutional battle against what it claims was a rigged vote.
Context: The Democratic Party has pledged to challenge the election outcome “within the institutions,” calling the process a farce. Thursday’s session is seen as a warm-up for this campaign. DP leader Sali Berisha has signaled that the fight will escalate in the fall, not ruling out the possibility of a hunger strike.
The Socialist Party, with 83 votes in the incoming Parliament, will have the numbers to push through its legislative agenda—and block opposition proposals. The DP is expected to hold just 50 seats for the next four years. The stance of the remaining seven MPs from smaller parties is unclear and will likely emerge in the fall.
What’s next: Over the next five weeks, Parliament is expected to review around 25 draft laws and hear annual reports for 2024 from key independent institutions, including the Central Election Commission and justice bodies.
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