Local elections in Albania 2015

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On June 21, 2015 , after four years, local elections ( Albanian Zgjedhje Vendore ) took place again in Albania . These were the first local elections after the approval of the reform of the administrative structure of Albania last year. This envisaged that the community type of Komuna be abolished and at the same time the total number of communities reduced from 373 to 61 Bashkia . Those entitled to vote elected the executive and legislative representatives of their communities, on the one hand the 61 mayors (alb. Kryetar Bashkie ) and on the other hand the total of 1,595 municipal councilors (alb. Këshilli Bashkiak ).  

A novelty and a historic milestone was the regulation that 50% of the candidates on a party list for a local council must be women. The Alliance of Women in Parliament (Aleanca e Grave Parlamentare) previously implemented this directive in parliament .

In the election the Socialist Party won a clear victory.

Political starting point

The last time have local elections in 2011 took place. At that time, two grand coalitions competed against each other, the Alliance for the Citizen (Aleanca për Qytetarin) led by the Democratic Party (PD) - the ruling party at the time - and the Alliance for the Future (Aleanca për të Ardhmen) led by the Socialist Party (PS ) . While the PS as a single party was able to win 100,000 more votes than the PD, its alliance was defeated by those of the Democrats with around 70,000 votes. The election in the capital Tirana was a head-to-head race between the socialist leader Edi Rama, who is now mayor, and his challenger from the PD camp, Lulzim Basha . The “Odyssey around Tirana”, as the multi-week vote count in the capital was called by the media, finally ended in favor of the Democrats, who won the election by just 81 votes. After eleven years, Edi Rama had to hand over the mayor's office to Lulzim Basha. It was also striking that the socialists were able to win in most of the country's cities, while the democrats were particularly successful in the countryside.

After two years of relatively successful opposition politics and thanks to an elaborate election campaign, things looked very different for the socialists in the parliamentary elections . Your Alliance for European Albania (Aleanca për Shqipërinë Evropiane) , to which 36 other parties belonged, got almost 320,000 votes more than the Alliance for Employment, Welfare and Integration (Aleanca për Punësim, Mirëqenie dhe Integrim) , which was led by the Democrats 24 parties belonged. After eight years in the opposition , the socialists re-established a government headed by Edi Rama.

Positions to be filled

In the local elections in 2015, the authorities for the territorial reform decided in summer 2014 were filled at the municipal level. The country is now divided into 61 Bashkia . Each Bashkia is ruled by a mayor and his cabinet. The Bashkia Council (or local council) has legislative functions and consists of at least 15 members. As the largest municipality, Tirana has 61 council seats to occupy.

Parties and coalitions standing for election

The Socialist Party of Albania leads the coalition "Alliance for European Albania", to which 37 parties belong.
The Democratic Party of Albania leads the smaller coalition “People's Alliance for Work and Dignity”, which comprises 15 parties.

The Central Election Commission (Alb. Komisioni Qendror i Zgjedhjeve ) registered 63 political subjects for this year's elections. 37 of them belong to the coalition "Alliance for European Albania" (Alb. Aleanca për Shqipërinë Europiane ) and 15 belong to the coalition "People's Alliance for Work and Dignity" (Alb. Aleanca Popullore për Punë dhe Dinjitet ). 11 parties stand for election independently. The participating parties are as follows:

Alliance for European Albania (ASHE)
  1. Socialist Party of Albania
  2. Socialist movement for integration
  3. Party for Justice, Integration and Unity
  4. National Army / Albanian Alliance
  5. Democratic Alliance
  6. Alliance of Macedonians for European Integration
  7. Alliance for European Equality and Justice
  8. Alliance for Democracy and Solidarity
  9. Party of Albanian Future
  10. Party of the New European Democracy
  11. Democratic Party of the Albanian Muslim Association
  12. Party of Albanian Issues
  13. Green Party of Albania
  14. Christian Democratic Alliance of Albania
  15. Labor Party of Albania
  16. Party of Democratic Reforms of Albania
  17. Party of Denied Rights
  18. Party force of youth
  19. National Unity Party
  20. G 99
  21. Communist Party of Albania
  22. Communist Party of Albania November 8th
  23. Democratic movement for change
  24. Movement for Justice of the Albanians
  25. Party law and justice
  26. Party for the Europeanization and Integration of Albania
  27. Party for the Protection of Emigrant Rights
  28. Party for people with disabilities
  29. Party way of freedom
  30. Albanian Fatherland Party
  31. Moderate Socialist Party
  32. Real Socialist Party '91
  33. Albanian Social Workers Party
  34. New democratic wind
  35. Social Democracy Party
  36. Christian Democratic Party of Albania
  37. National Reconciliation Party
 People's Alliance for Work and Dignity (APPD)
  1. Democratic Party of Albania
  2. Albanian Republican Party
  3. Agricultural and Environment Party of Albania
  4. Party movement for legality
  5. National Front Party
  6. Party Movement for National Development
  7. Liberal Democratic Association
  8. Party of the Democratic National Front
  9. Party time of Albania
  10. Albanian Democratic Association
  11. Party Liberal Right Mindset
  12. New denied rights party
  13. Albanian Conservative Party
  14. Christian Democratic People's Party of Albania
  15. Albanian Christian Democratic League
 No coalition
  1. Ethnic Greek minority for the future
  2. Left Front Party
  3. Party for the Protection of Labor Rights of Albania
  4. Christian Democratic Party of Albania
  5. Democratic movement for values, welfare and progress
  6. Party Association for Human Rights
  7. People's Alliance
  8. Social Democratic Party of Albania
  9. National Alliance Party
  10. National Democratic Albanian Alliance
  11. European Ecological Association

Ballot box

The polls on June 21 went smoothly and without major incidents. The turnout was around 45%, which was the lowest in 25 years. In the 2013 parliamentary election it was 53%.

Two days after the election, however, a violent incident occurred in Malësia e Madhe during the counting when people tried to break into the polling station. The police had to intervene. The counting then continued in Tirana.

The international observers assessed the election process as calm and fair overall. The voters could have given up their will. However, it was criticized that numerous state institutions had been politically undermined. It was true that the legal basis for democratic elections existed. However, in some places there was a lack of will to implement the laws accordingly.

Results of the mayoral elections

Results of the mayoral elections:
  • APPD
  • ASHE
  • Ethnic Greek minority for the future (MEGA)

    • According to the Central Electoral Commission ( Albanian  Komisioni Qëndror i Zgjedhjeve , KQZ for short ), the ASHE won 45 municipalities, including the larger cities mainly in the south of the country such as Durrës , Elbasan , Vlora , Korça , Gjirokastra , Fier and Saranda . The APPD won in 15 urban parishes, including Kukës , Lezha , Kamza , Tropoja and, as usual, Shkodra . In the case of non-coalition parties, the ethnic Greek minority for the future (MEGA) won the election in Finiq. ASHE is seen as the winner of the local elections.

    The following table lists the 2015 winning party:

    Qark Borough mayor Name of the winning party coalition
    Qark Berat Advises Petrit Sinaj Socialist movement for integration ASHE
    Qark Berat Kuçova Selfo Kapllani Socialist movement for integration ASHE
    Qark Berat Poliçan Adriatic Zotkaj Socialist party ASHE
    Qark Berat Skrapar Nesim Spahiu Socialist movement for integration ASHE
    Qark Berat Ura Vajgurore Juliana Memaj Socialist party ASHE
    Qark Dibra Bulqiza Melaim Damzi Socialist movement for integration ASHE
    Qark Dibra Dibra Shukri Xhelili Socialist party ASHE
    Qark Dibra Toilets Basir Çupa Democratic Party APPD
    Qark Dibra Mat Nezir Rizvani Democratic Party APPD
    Qark Durrës Durrës Vangjush Dako Socialist party ASHE
    Qark Durrës Kruja Artur Bushi Socialist party ASHE
    Qark Durrës Shijak Ardian Kokomani Socialist party ASHE
    Elbasan Qark Belsh Arif Tafani Socialist party ASHE
    Elbasan Qark Cërrik Altin Toska Socialist movement for integration ASHE
    Elbasan Qark Elbasan Qazim Sejdini Socialist party ASHE
    Elbasan Qark Gramsh Luljeta Dollani Socialist party ASHE
    Elbasan Qark Librazhd Castriot Gurra Socialist party ASHE
    Elbasan Qark Peqin Saimir Hasalla Party for Justice, Integration and Unity ASHE
    Elbasan Qark Përrenjas Miranda Rira Socialist movement for integration ASHE
    Qark Fier Divjaka Fredi Kokoneshi Socialist party ASHE
    Qark Fier Fier Armando Subashi Socialist party ASHE
    Qark Fier Lushnja Fatos Tushe Socialist party ASHE
    Qark Fier Mallakastra Agron Kapllanaj Democratic Party APPD
    Qark Fier Patos Rajmonda Balilaj Socialist party ASHE
    Qark Fier Roskovec Majlinda Bufi Socialist party ASHE
    Gjirokastra Qark Dropull Ahilea Deçka Democratic Party APPD
    Gjirokastra Qark Gjirokastra Zamira Rami Socialist movement for integration ASHE
    Gjirokastra Qark Këlcyra Klement Ndoni Socialist party ASHE
    Gjirokastra Qark Libohova Luiza Mandi Socialist party ASHE
    Gjirokastra Qark Memaliaj Durim Roshi Socialist party ASHE
    Gjirokastra Qark Përmet Niko Shupuli Democratic Party APPD
    Gjirokastra Qark Tepelena Tërmet Peçi Socialist party ASHE
    Korça district Devil Bledjon Nallbati Democratic Party APPD
    Korça district Kolonja Arben Malo Socialist movement for integration ASHE
    Korça district Korça Sotiraq Filo Socialist party ASHE
    Korça district Maliq Gëzim Topçiu Socialist party ASHE
    Korça district Pogradec Eduart Kapri Democratic Party APPD
    Korça district Pustec Edmond Themelko Macedonian Alliance for European Integration ASHE
    Qark Kukës Has Adem Lala Socialist party ASHE
    Qark Kukës Kukës Bashkim Shehu Democratic Party APPD
    Qark Kukës Tropoja Besnik Dushaj Democratic Party APPD
    Lezha district Kurbin Artur Bardhi Socialist party ASHE
    Lezha district Lezha Fran Frrokaj Democratic Party APPD
    Lezha district Mirdita Ndrec Dedaj Socialist party ASHE
    Qark Shkodra Fushë-Arrëz Fran Tuci Socialist party ASHE
    Qark Shkodra Malësia e Madhe Tonin Marinaj Socialist party ASHE
    Qark Shkodra Puka Gjon Gjonaj Socialist party ASHE
    Qark Shkodra Shkodra Voltana Ademi Democratic Party APPD
    Qark Shkodra Vau-Deja Zef Hila Democratic Party APPD
    Tirana County Kamza Xhelal Mziu Democratic Party APPD
    Tirana County Kavaja Elvis Roshi Socialist party ASHE
    Tirana County Rrogozhina Beqir Nuredini Party for Justice, Integration and Unity ASHE
    Tirana County Tirana Erion Veliaj Socialist party ASHE
    Tirana County Vora Fiqiri Ismaili Democratic Party APPD
    Vlora County Delvina Rigel's Balili Socialist movement for integration ASHE
    Vlora County Finiq Leonidha Hristo Ethnic Greek minority for the future No coalition
    Vlora County Himara Jorgo Goro Socialist party ASHE
    Vlora County Konispol Shuaip Beqiri Socialist party ASHE
    Vlora County Saranda Florjana Koka Socialist party ASHE
    Vlora County Selenica Përparim Shametaj Democratic Party APPD
    Vlora County Vlora Dritan Leli Socialist party ASHE

    Results of the Council Seat Elections

    Nationwide, 25.75% of the votes went to the Socialists, 20.32% to the Democrats and 16.60% to the Socialist Movement for Integration. The ASHE coalition received 63% of the vote, the APPD only 32%.

    Albina Ferko Nanaj from the Çamen party PDIU was the first woman wearing a hijab ( Islamic headscarf) to be elected to the city council of Tirana after the headscarf was banned under communism .

    The following table lists the seats won for the two coalitions and the most important parties, along with the winning party. The winning coalition is highlighted in green.

    Qark Borough Council seats Seats APPD
    (Democratic Party)     		Seats ASHE
    (Socialist Party / Socialist Movement for Integration)     		Seat other parties and
    independent candidates    		 Party with the highest percentage of votes
    Qark Berat Advises 31 10 (6) 21 (11/7) 00 Socialist party
    Qark Berat Kuçova 31 08 (6) 23 (10/6) 00 Socialist party
    Qark Berat Poliçan 15th 02 (2) 13 (8/3) 00 Socialist party
    Qark Berat Skrapar 15th 02 (1) 13 (3/10) 00 Socialist movement for integration
    Qark Berat Ura Vajgurore 21st 06 (4) 15 (6/5) 00 Socialist party
    Qark Dibra Bulqiza 21st 08 (2) 13 (3/2) 00 Socialist party
    Qark Dibra Dibra 31 13 (8) 17 (8/3) 01 Democratic Party
    Qark Dibra Toilets 21st 09 (2) 12 (2/3) 00 Socialist movement for integration
    Qark Dibra Mat 21st 09 (3) 12 (3/3) 00 Socialist party
    Qark Durrës Durrës 51 16 (14) 35 (16/13) 00 Socialist party
    Qark Durrës Kruja 31 12 (5) 19 (5/6) 00 Democratic Party
    Qark Durrës Shijak 21st 09 (6) 12 (7/2) 00 Socialist party
    Elbasan Qark Belsh 21st 08 (2) 13 (5/4) 00 Socialist party
    Elbasan Qark Cërrik 21st 07 (4) 14 (5/4) 00 Socialist party
    Elbasan Qark Elbasan 51 16 (13) 35 (16/10) 00 Socialist party
    Elbasan Qark Gramsh 21st 05 (1) 16 (2/2) 00 Christian Democratic Alliance of Albania
    Elbasan Qark Librazhd 21st 04 (2) 17 (5/2) 00 Socialist party
    Elbasan Qark Peqin 21st 05 (3) 15 (2/4) 01 Party for Justice, Integration and Unity
    Elbasan Qark Përrenjas 21st 06 (2) 15 (4/2) 00 Socialist party
    Qark Fier Divjaka 31 10 (6) 21 (9/6) 00 Socialist party
    Qark Fier Fier 41 12 (8) 29 (16/9) 00 Socialist party
    Qark Fier Lushnja 41 12 (10) 29 (14/9) 00 Socialist party
    Qark Fier Mallakastra 21st 07 (2) 14 (4/3) 00 Socialist party
    Qark Fier Patos 21st 04 (3) 17 (8/5) 00 Socialist party
    Qark Fier Roskovec 21st 07 (3) 14 (9/3) 00 Socialist party
    Gjirokastra Qark Dropull 21st 03 (3) 14 (3/10) 04th Socialist movement for integration
    Gjirokastra Qark Gjirokastra 31 10 (8) 21 (9/7) 00 Socialist party
    Gjirokastra Qark Këlcyra 15th 04 (1) 11 (1/3) 00 Socialist movement for integration
    Gjirokastra Qark Libohova 15th 06 (4) 09 (5/3) 00 Socialist party
    Gjirokastra Qark Memaliaj 21st 04 (2) 16 (5/7) 01 Socialist movement for integration
    Gjirokastra Qark Përmet 21 1 05 (1) 15 (2/4) 00 Socialist movement for integration
    Gjirokastra Qark Tepelena 15th 04 (2) 11 (5/4) 00 Socialist party
    Korça district Devil 21st 06 (4) 15 (4/4) 00 Democratic Party
    Korça district Kolonja 15th 04 (4) 11 (5/3) 00 Socialist party
    Korça district Korça 41 12 (11) 29 (17/8) 00 Socialist party
    Korça district Maliq 31 10 (6) 21 (9/6) 00 Socialist party
    Korça district Pogradec 31 10 (5) 21 (7/5) 00 Socialist party
    Korça district Pustec 15th 03 (1) 12 (2/2) 00 Macedonian Alliance for European Integration
    Qark Kukës Has 21st 09 (2) 12 (1/1) 00 Democratic Party
    Qark Kukës Kukës 31 13 (4) 17 (2/2) 01 Democratic Party
    Qark Kukës Tropoja 21st 09 (4) 12 (2/2) 00 Democratic Party
    Lezha district Kurbin 31 06 (3) 25 (7/7) 00 Socialist party
    Lezha district Lezha 41 18 (7) 22 (5/4) 01 Democratic Party
    Lezha district Mirdita 21st 04 (2) 15 (2/2) 02 Socialist movement for integration
    Qark Shkodra Fushë-Arrëz 15th 05 (1) 10 (1/2) 00 Socialist movement for integration
    Qark Shkodra Malësia e Madhe 31 12 (3) 17 (5/5) 02 Socialist movement for integration
    Qark Shkodra Puka 15th 03 (1) 11 (1/3) 01 Socialist movement for integration
    Qark Shkodra Shkodra 51 27 (21) 24 (9/10) 00 Democratic Party
    Qark Shkodra Vau-Deja 21st 11 (7) 10 (3/2) 00 Democratic Party
    Tirana County Kamza 41 19 (12) 22 (8/9) 00 Democratic Party
    Tirana County Kavaja 31 11 (9) 20 (10/5) 00 Socialist party
    Tirana County Rrogozhina 21st 06 (4) 15 (5/5) 00 Socialist party
    Tirana County Tirana 61 19 (17) 42 (25/13) 00 Socialist party
    Tirana County Vora 21st 10 (7) 11 (3/6) 00 Democratic Party
    Vlora County Delvina 15th 04 (2) 11 (3/4) 00 Socialist movement for integration
    Vlora County Finiq 21st 01 (1) 08 (5/2) 12 Ethnic Greek minority for the future
    Vlora County Himara 21st 03 (2) 14 (8/4) 04th Socialist party
    Vlora County Konispol 15th 05 (2) 09 (4/2) 01 Socialist party
    Vlora County Saranda 31 09 (4) 20 (8/4) 02 Socialist party
    Vlora County Selenica 21st 08 (4) 13 (5/2) 00 Socialist party
    Vlora County Vlora 41 12 (9) 29 (18/5) 00 Socialist party
    1 In the available data, only 20 seats have been allocated so far

    Web links

    Individual evidence

    1. ↑ Decree No. 8844 of the President. In: Official website of the President of the Republic of Albania . December 15, 2014, accessed April 7, 2015 (Albanian).
    2. ↑ Official website for reforming the administrative structure. In: Ministry of State for Local Issues. Retrieved April 7, 2015 (Albanian).
    3. ↑ Drejt një normaliteti të ri gjinor në politikën shqiptare. In: Peshku pa ujë. April 23, 2015, Retrieved April 25, 2015 (Albanian).
    4. ^ Thomas Schrapel: Local elections in the Republic of Albania. In: Konrad Adenauer Foundation . July 16, 2015, accessed April 7, 2015 (PDF).
    5. ↑ Willi Bold Frehner: The results of the local elections of 8 May 2011 in Albania. In: Konrad Adenauer Foundation . June 7, 2011, accessed on April 7, 2015 (PDF; 76 kB).
    6. ^ Results of the parliamentary elections 2013. In: Zgjedhjet2013.al. Archived from the original on June 17, 2013 ; Retrieved April 7, 2015 (Albanian).
    7. ↑ a b Numri i mandateve të këshillave bashkiake. In: Central Electoral Commission . Retrieved April 25, 2015 (Albanian, PDF; 35 kB).
    8. ↑ Parti dhe koalicione të regjistruara në KQZ për Zgjedhjet vendore 2015. In: Central Election Commission . Retrieved June 22, 2015 (Albanian, PDF; 160 kB).
    9. ↑ Gjergj Erebara: Low Turnout Marks Albania Local Elections. In: Balkan Insight . June 21, 2015, accessed June 22, 2015 .
    10. ↑ Malësi e Madhe, KZAZ vendos të rifillojë numërimin. Jo në KQZ. (No longer available online.) In: Top Channel. June 24, 2015, archived from the original on June 26, 2015 ; Retrieved June 24, 2015 (Albanian). Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.top-channel.tv
    11. ^ Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights : Voters offered a distinct choice in Albania's local elections, but politicization of state institutions undermined process, observers say. Press release. In: OSCE . June 22, 2015, accessed July 5, 2015 .
    12. ↑ Albina Nanaj, gruaja e Pare e mbuluar në të këshillin bashkiak Tiranës. In: Te sheshi. June 25, 2015, Retrieved April 29, 2019 (Albanian).