Why is this important: Veliaj, arrested on February 10 in connection with a corruption investigation by SPAK (Albania’s Special Anti-Corruption Structure), is one of the few sitting officials from the ruling Socialist Party to be detained while in office. But what has stirred widespread controversy is not the investigation itself—it’s the contrasting treatment of political figures across party lines.

Why is this important: Ironically, the Democratic Party that challenged the results turned out to have gained the most from inaccurate vote counts. The recounts revealed that PD had benefitted from more misallocated votes than any other political force. Although these discrepancies were attributed by the CEC to human error by ballot counters, they have not changed the final result or the number of parliamentary seats awarded. In some cases, votes appeared to have been shifted between candidates from the same party, raising fresh concerns about internal vote trafficking.

Why is this important: With political restructuring underway and local elections on the horizon in the capital, the Prime Minister is signaling zero tolerance for lax urban management. His call for a two-week audit of every public service and space in Tirana marks the start of a sweeping operation targeting illegal extensions, unpermitted businesses, and public-private boundary violations.

Why is this important: The resignations come at a time of political recalibration following Albania’s May elections, and signal the Socialist Party’s intent to tighten control over key local structures. With tourism season underway and fresh elections looming in Tirana, Rama’s intervention suggests a renewed push for accountability in cities where public services are under strain.

Why is this important: During its last session, Parliament approved 11 legislative initiatives, including the 2024 annual report of the National Council for European Integration (KKIE). Although the opposition publicly claims to support Albania’s EU accession process, its MPs boycotted the vote—casting doubt on cross-party commitment to integration at a key moment.