U.S. Embassy congratulates Albanians on elections, signaling recognition of election results
The U.S. Embassy in Tirana has issued a brief statement congratulating the Albanian people on the May 11 parliamentary elections, marking the first public recognition of the vote’s outcome by the United States.
Why this is important: Although unusually terse compared to past endorsements, the post carries symbolic weight. It adds to a growing wave of international acceptance—especially from the EU and its member states—of the Socialist Party’s victory, further isolating the Democratic Party (DP) and its leader Sali Berisha, who continue to contest the results.
Context. In a bilingual message on social media, the embassy wrote:
“We congratulate the people of Albania on their parliamentary elections and look forward to continuing our ongoing close partnership with Albania.”
The timing and diplomatic tone imply acknowledgment of the legitimacy of the vote and of the resulting government.
Implications for the opposition: The statement compounds the political pressure on Berisha and the DP, who have launched legal challenges, called for international investigations, and even floated the possibility of hunger strikes. Their main claim—that the election was manipulated—has yet to be substantiated with verifiable evidence.
DP’s strategy increasingly resembles previous cycles: rejection of results, boycotts, and threats of escalation. But with both the EU and now the U.S. acknowledging the elections, the international community appears unwilling to indulge claims that lack factual backing.
What else: Earlier in the day the EU ambassador in Tirana urged all parties to turn the page and focus on reform.
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