Albanian President concludes consultations on election date, DP boycotts the process

Albanian President Bajram Begaj has concluded his consultations with political parties regarding the date for the 2025 parliamentary elections. The process, aimed at ensuring transparency and inclusivity, has seen broad participation, except for the Democratic Party (DP), which has refused to engage, calling the consultations a mere formality.

Why is this important: The date for the elections is a constitutional responsibility of the President. Traditionally, the President consults with political parties, especially those in Parliament, before making this decision to ensure that all voices are heard and the process is fair. While no party has voiced strong opposition to a specific date, the DP’s boycott raises concerns. Its actions suggest a strategy to delegitimize the President’s role and accuse the government of pre-determining the outcome, further fueling political tension in the lead-up to the 2025 elections.

Details of the consultations: In a statement on Facebook, President Begaj emphasized that the consultation process was guided by the higher interest of voters and not by petty political calculations. He noted that the goal was to transform the upcoming elections into a success story for both Albania and its democracy, with a focus on law enforcement, ethical political discourse, and respect for voters’ wishes.

Begaj described the task of political actors as ensuring that the 2025 parliamentary elections would be held with the highest standards of fairness and transparency, underscoring the importance of cooperation between all political forces. He highlighted that the election date is not merely a constitutional formality but a test of political engagement and institutional cooperation for the benefit of Albanian voters.

Meanwhile, Ilirjan Celibashi, Chairman of the Central Election Commission (CEC), proposed May 11, 2025, as the optimal date for the elections. Celibashi emphasized that this date allows sufficient time for organizing the vote, especially considering recent changes to the electoral code concerning overseas voting.

Political party stance: The Socialist Party (SP), during a meeting with President Begaj, also backed the May 11 date, citing the need to allow more time for the diaspora vote. Blendi Klosi, SP General Secretary, stated that this proposal would offer ample opportunity for Albanian citizens abroad to participate in the elections. Small parties, mostly allied to the opposition Democratic Party have also participated in the consultations. However, the Democratic Party (DP),refused and has accused President Begaj of being complicit with Prime Minister Edi Rama in pre-deciding the election date. Although they have not provided any evidence and no reason why one date matters more than the other, DP has described the consultations as a farce, rubber-stamping a decision already made by the government.

Context: This boycott is in line with the DP’s traditional tactics of challenging the legitimacy of public institutions and escalating tensions in the run-up to the elections. DP’s refusal to engage with the President adds another layer of complexity to the upcoming election process, highlighting ongoing divisions in Albanian politics as the 2025 elections approach.