Why this is important: The European Parliament report positions Albania as a frontrunner among EU candidate states, recognizing the country’s commitment to concluding negotiations by 2027 and achieving full membership by 2030. But it also highlights deep-rooted political polarization—a point Spiropali admitted must be addressed. Her comments reflect growing pressure on Albanian institutions not only to maintain reform momentum but also to ensure national unity in the face of escalating internal attacks on the country’s image abroad.

Why this is important: The report reaffirms Albania’s ambition to join the EU by 2030 and marks official recognition of the country’s progress in reforms. It also underscores concerns about political polarization, misuse of state resources in elections, and foreign malign influence—issues that could affect the pace of accession.

Why this is important: The maritime dispute between Albania and Greece remains one of the last major unresolved bilateral issues. A breakthrough would remove a persistent source of political friction and give a boost to bilateral relations.

Why this is important: This strong endorsement signals Brussels’ increasing confidence in Albania’s EU trajectory. Opening all negotiation chapters would mark a major milestone in the country’s path toward membership—one that few candidate states reach this swiftly.

Why this is important: Berisha’s refusal to recognize electoral defeats has become a defining pattern over his 35-year political career. His latest claims continue this pattern—calling May 11 a “farce,” even though the preliminary OSCE/ODIHR report and key international actors, including the U.S. and EU, recognized the elections.