Local elections in Albania 2019

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On June 30, 2019 , local elections ( Albanian Zgjedhje Vendore ) took place in Albania again after four years . Those entitled to vote elected the executive and legislative representatives of their communities ( Bashkia ), 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 ). It was the second local elections after the approval of the reform of the administrative structure of Albania in 2014, when the municipality type of Komuna was abolished and at the same time the total number of municipalities was reduced from 373 to 61 Bashkia.  

The elections took place at a time of great political tension, when the opposition had boycotted the national parliament for months and did not participate in the local elections. The turnout was therefore less than 23%.

Political starting point

The last time have local elections in 2015 took place. At that time, two grand coalitions competed against each other, the People's Alliance for Work and Dignity (Aleanca Popullore për Punë dhe Dinjitet ) led by the Democratic Party (PD) and the Alliance for European Albania (Aleanca për Shqipërinë Europiane) led by the Socialist Party (PS ) . The latter achieved significant success and won the mayor's office in 45 of the 61 municipalities and 63% of the votes for the local parliaments. Erion Veliaj was  able to win back the mayor's office of Tirana, especially for the socialists. In the parliamentary elections in July 2017 , the Socialist Party won again as it did four years before and even achieved a sole majority. The Socialist Movement for Integration (LSI) - a splinter party of the socialists and often tipped the scales in the elections in Albania - was no longer a coalition partner of the Socialist Party in the 2017 parliamentary elections, unlike in the 2015 local elections.

The judicial reform adopted in 2016 with the support of the opposition meant that the Constitutional Court had no longer had a quorum since 2018 because all the others apart from one judge had resigned or were removed from office because an independent commission had found assets of unclear origin in them.

On November 5, 2018, President Ilir Meta set the date of the elections for June 30, 2019. The constitution provides for local elections to be held every four years.

Following student protests in December 2018 and new allegations against the government of corruption and ties to the Mafia, the Democratic Party called on the government to resign in February 2019. As a result, the members of the Democratic Party and the Socialist Movement for Integration resigned and boycotted the work in parliament. For months the opposition called for protests in Tirana and road blockades; there was occasional damage from demonstrators and clashes with the police. It was also announced in June that Albania's accession negotiations with the European Union would not begin.

On June 9, Ilir Meta revoked the election date and postponed it by decree to an indefinite period. The current political conditions in the country did not allow the elections to be conducted in an orderly manner. He later declared October 13, 2019 the election date. Prime Minister Edi Rama declared this decree to be illegal and that the elections would go ahead as planned. The Constitutional Court was unable to resolve the dispute as it still does not have a quorum. Parliament confirmed the date and began the impeachment proceedings against Meta.

Ballot box

The election was held on June 30th. The opposition boycotted the polls, so that in 34 municipalities only one candidate ran for mayor's office, in some of them none at all. As in communist times, there was only one candidate to choose from, wrote journalists. In some municipalities, incumbent mayors prevented public buildings from being used for voting.

The opposition called on its supporters to refrain from violence. Nevertheless, there were clashes with the police. In some places voting material was burned and schools damaged. Overall, however, there were no major incidents and the elections were carried out properly.

Opposition mayors said they would not step down as the election was illegal.

The election was  observed by the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and the European Union . Journalists reported violations such as gifts for voters and early publication of results by the Central Election Commission . Several polling stations in Shkodra remained closed.

According to official figures, the voter turnout was 22.97% or 812,249 people. The opposition said that, according to their calculations, only 534,528 people took part, so the turnout would be 15.12%. The elections were declared a farce by PD chairman Lulzim Basha .

The OSCE criticized the low turnout, the serious legal uncertainty due to unclear decisions of the Central Electoral Commission, the political pressure, the tendentious reporting of important media and the illegal registration of the party Bindja Demokratike.

Follow-up

After the election, several mayors of opposition parties stated again that they would not give up their offices until regular elections had taken place. President Meta reiterated that legitimate local elections would be held on October 13th. In addition, the parliament and the president should be re-elected on this date. He further accused George Soros of wanting to destabilize Albania.

On July 8th there was another large demonstration by the opposition in Tirana.

In the second half of August, however, with the exception of Shkodra, the opposition mayors vacated their chairs and the newly elected incumbents could take over. A local court had confirmed Valdrin Pjetri as the new mayor, but he had to resign in mid-August after it became public that he had been sentenced to imprisonment in Italy in 2003 for a drug offense, which he did not state. Incumbent Voltana Ademi thus remained interim mayor; President Ilir Meta had not announced a new election date by early October.

Since the Albanian Constitutional Court was inoperative in the summer of 2019, an opinion by the Venice Commission has become very important. The constitutional law experts of the Council of Europe determined in mid-October that impeachment proceedings would not be justified, even if the president might have exceeded his powers by postponing the elections. A final assessment must be made by the Constitutional Court.

Accompanying parties

Because of the boycott, the number of parties participating in this election was significantly smaller than in the past. 36 parties were registered for this year's elections. The socialists formed a coalition with several parties ; in addition, six other parties to the Shprese për ndryshim coalition (hope for change) .

A rule stipulates that 50% of the candidates on a party's list for a local council must be women.

List of incoming parties by coalition
Alliance for European Albania (ASHE)
  1. Partia Socialiste e Shqipërisë
  2. Aleanca për Barazi dhe Drejtësi Evropiane
  3. Aleanca Arbnore Kombëtare
  4. Partia Demokracia Sociale e Shqipërisë
  5. Partia Kristiane Demokrate e Shqipërisë
  6. Lëvizja Punëtore Shqiptare
  7. Partia e Pajtimit Kombëtar Shqiptar
  8. Partia e Gjelbër
  9. G 99
  10. Partia e Reformave Demokratike Shqiptare
  11. Aleanca Demokristiane e Shqipërisë
  12. Partia Socialpunëtore Shqiptare
  13. Aleanca për Demokraci dhe Solidaritet
  14. Partia për Mbrojtjen e të Drejtave të Emigrantëve
  15. Partia Demokratie për Integrim dhe Prosperitet
  16. Aleanca Demokratike
  17. Partia Socialiste e Moderuar
  18. Partia Ardhmëria Shqiptare
  19. Partia Unitetit Kombëtar
  20. Partia Socialdemokrate e Shqipërisë
  21. Partia e të Drejtave të Mohuara
 Shprese për ndryshim
  1. Partia Demokracia e Re Europiane
  2. Balli Kombëtar
  3. Partia Bashkimi Liberal Democrat
  4. Aleanca Kuq e Zi
  5. Partia e Orës e Shqipërisë
  6. Partia e Emigracionit Shqiptar
 No coalition
  1. Fryma e Re Demokratike
  2. Partia Komuniste e Shqipërisë
  3. Partia Personat me Aftësi të kufizuar
  4. Aleanca Maqedonase për Integrim Evropian
  5. Partia për Mbrojtjen e të Drejtave të Punëtorëve të Shqipërisë
  6. Partia Kombëtare Conservators Albania
  7. Partia për Liri Demokraci dhe Etiketten
  8. Minoriteti Etnik Grek për të Ardhmen
  9. Bindja Demokratie

Results of the mayoral elections

Five days after the election, on July 4, 2019, only preliminary results were available.

Qark Borough voter turnout mayor Name of the winning party coalition
Qark Berat Advises 17.56% Ervin demo Socialist party 90% ASHE
Qark Berat Kuçova 22.13% Kreshnik Hajdari Socialist party 100% ASHE
Qark Berat Poliçan 35.46% Adriatic Zotkaj Socialist party 100% ASHE
Qark Berat Skrapar 32.58% Adriatic Mema Socialist party 100% ASHE
Qark Berat Ura Vajgurore 19.18% Juliana Memaj Socialist party 100% ASHE
Qark Dibra Bulqiza 25.41% Lighter Alla Socialist party 93% ASHE
Qark Dibra Dibra 28.75% Dionis Imeraj Socialist party 84% ASHE
Qark Dibra Toilets 35.17% Ilmi Hoxha Socialist party 68% ASHE
Qark Dibra Mat 27.31% Agron Malaj Socialist party 100% ASHE
Qark Durrës Durrës 13.94% Valbona Sako Socialist party 91% ASHE
Qark Durrës Kruja 26.47% Artur Bushi Socialist party 100% ASHE
Qark Durrës Shijak 16.87% Elton Arbana Socialist party 92% ASHE
Elbasan Qark Belsh 25.93% Arif Tafani Socialist party 97% ASHE
Elbasan Qark Cërrik 19.19% Andis Salla Socialist party 94% ASHE
Elbasan Qark Elbasan 23.56% Gledian Llatja Socialist party 100% ASHE
Elbasan Qark Gramsh 32.95% Klodian Taçe Socialist party 93% ASHE
Elbasan Qark Librazhd 37.52% Castriot Gurra Socialist party 100% ASHE
Elbasan Qark Peqin 18.48% Lorenc Tosku Socialist party 100% ASHE
Elbasan Qark Përrenjas 32.49% Nuri Belba Socialist party 93% ASHE
Qark Fier Divjaka 30.67% Fredi Kokoneshi Socialist party 100% ASHE
Qark Fier Fier 25.38% Armando Subashi Socialist party 100% ASHE
Qark Fier Lushnja 26.35% Fatos Tushe Socialist party 100% ASHE
Qark Fier Mallakastra 19.66% Qerim Izmailay Socialist party 92% ASHE
Qark Fier Patos 25.25% Rajmonda Balilaj Socialist party 100% ASHE
Qark Fier Roskovec 31.18% Majlinda Bufi Socialist party 100% ASHE
Gjirokastra Qark Dropull 11.26% Dhimitraq Toli Socialist party 100% ASHE
Gjirokastra Qark Gjirokastra 26.37% Flamur Golemi Socialist party 100% ASHE
Gjirokastra Qark Këlcyra 30.54% Klement Ndoni Socialist party 85% ASHE
Gjirokastra Qark Libohova 23.36% Luiza Mandi Socialist party 100% ASHE
Gjirokastra Qark Memaliaj 25.87% Gjolek Guci Socialist party 100% ASHE
Gjirokastra Qark Përmet 28.99% Alma Hoxha Socialist party 100% ASHE
Gjirokastra Qark Tepelena 36.59% Tërmet Peçi Socialist party 97% ASHE
Korça district Devil 23.01% Eduard Duro Socialist party 84% ASHE
Korça district Kolonja 32.07% Erion Isaj Socialist party 93% ASHE
Korça district Korça 20.02% Sotiraq Filo Socialist party 92% ASHE
Korça district Maliq 24.51% Gëzim Topçiu Socialist party 100% ASHE
Korça district Pogradec 24.60% Ilir Xhakolli Socialist party 100% ASHE
Korça district Pustec 55.44% Pali Kolefski Socialist party 64% ASHE
Qark Kukës Has 27.47% Liman Morina Socialist party 100% ASHE
Qark Kukës Kukës 26.15% Safet Gjici Socialist party 84% ASHE
Qark Kukës Tropoja 18.27% Rexhe Byberi Socialist party 95% ASHE
Lezha district Kurbin 13.87% Majlinda Cara Socialist party 87% ASHE
Lezha district Lezha 17.85% Pyerin Ndreu Socialist party 91% ASHE
Lezha district Mirdita 21.99% Ndrec Dedaj Socialist party 94% ASHE
Qark Shkodra Fushë-Arrëz 28.74% Fran Tuci Socialist party 100% ASHE
Qark Shkodra Malësia e Madhe 17.02% Tonin Marinaj Socialist party 94% ASHE
Qark Shkodra Puka 32.65% Gjon Gjonaj Socialist party 100% ASHE
Qark Shkodra Shkodra 9.67% Valdrin Pjetri Socialist party 100% ASHE
Qark Shkodra Vau-Deja 13.33% Mark Babani Socialist party 100% ASHE
Tirana County Kamza 10.95% Rakip Suli Socialist party 97% ASHE
Tirana County Kavaja 12.28% Redjan Krali Socialist party 98% ASHE
Tirana County Rrogozhina 16.71% Haxhi Memolla Socialist party 100% ASHE
Tirana County Tirana 25.86% Erion Veliaj Socialist party 94% ASHE
Tirana County Vora 20.88% Agim Kajmaku Socialist party 100% ASHE
Vlora County Delvina 20.56% Majlinda Qilimi Socialist party 100% ASHE
Vlora County Finiq 13.09% Kristo Kiço Ethnic Greek minority for the future 61% No coalition
Vlora County Himara 18.31% Jorgo Goro Socialist party 100% ASHE
Vlora County Konispol 31.03% Shuaip Beqiri Socialist party 100% ASHE
Vlora County Saranda 20.08% Adrian Gurma Socialist party 81% ASHE
Vlora County Selenica 23.22% Pëllumb Binaj Socialist party 92% ASHE
Vlora County Vlora 19.50% Dritan Leli Socialist party 94% ASHE

Results of the Council Seat Elections

Five days after the election, on July 4, 2019, only preliminary results were available. The final results were not published until the end of July.

Qark Borough Council seats Share of votes PS

(Socialist party)

Sit ASHE

(Socialist party)

Sit other parties and

independent candidates

Party with the highest percentage of votes
Qark Berat Advises 31 90.79% 30 (29) 1 Socialist party
Qark Berat Kuçova 31 82.28% 31 (26) 0 Socialist party
Qark Berat Poliçan 15th 87.07% 15 (13) 0 Socialist party
Qark Berat Skrapar 15th 85.32% 14 (13) 1 Socialist party
Qark Berat Ura Vajgurore 21st 74.34% 21 (15) 0 Socialist party
Qark Dibra Bulqiza 21st 33.55% 20 (7) 1 Socialist party
Qark Dibra Dibra 31 45.72% 29 (14) 2 Socialist party
Qark Dibra Toilets 21st 28.26% 21 (6) 0 Socialist party
Qark Dibra Mat 21st 51.69% 21 (11) 0 Socialist party
Qark Durrës Durrës 51 87.13% 50 (46) 1 Socialist party
Qark Durrës Kruja 31 69.37% 31 (23) 0 Socialist party
Qark Durrës Shijak 21st 73.76% 20 (+6) 1 Socialist party
Elbasan Qark Belsh 21st 80.14% 20 (18) 1 Socialist party
Elbasan Qark Cërrik 21st 88.13% 21 (19) 0 Socialist party
Elbasan Qark Elbasan 51 80.43% 49 (43) 2 Socialist party
Elbasan Qark Gramsh 21st 47.74% 21 (10) 0 Socialist party
Elbasan Qark Librazhd 21st 54.21% 18 (12) 3 Socialist party
Elbasan Qark Peqin 21st 84.85% 21 (18) 0 Socialist party
Elbasan Qark Përrenjas 21st 64.45% 21 (13) 0 Socialist party
Qark Fier Divjaka 31 81.95% 31 (26) 0 Socialist party
Qark Fier Fier 51 91.19% 51 (48) 0 Socialist party
Qark Fier Lushnja 41 83.08% 40 (33) 1 Socialist party
Qark Fier Mallakastra 21st 64.74% 21 (15) 0 Socialist party
Qark Fier Patos 21st 89.82% 21 (19) 0 Socialist party
Qark Fier Roskovec 21st 92.06% 21 (19) 0 Socialist party
Gjirokastra Qark Dropull 21st 76.99% 18 (16) 3 Socialist party
Gjirokastra Qark Gjirokastra 31 63.09% 30 (19) 1 Socialist party
Gjirokastra Qark Këlcyra 15th 22.78% 13 (4) 2 Socialist party
Gjirokastra Qark Libohova 15th 73.63% 14 (12) 1 Socialist party
Gjirokastra Qark Memaliaj 21st 77.76% 21 (17) 0 Socialist party
Gjirokastra Qark Përmet 15th 44.17% 15 (7) 0 Socialist party
Gjirokastra Qark Tepelena 15th 80.21% 15 (12) 0 Socialist party
Korça district Devil 21st 68.54% 21 (15) 0 Socialist party
Korça district Kolonja 15th 60.74% 15 (10) 0 Socialist party
Korça district Korça 41 76.94% 39 (33) 2 Socialist party
Korça district Maliq 31 82.34% 31 (26) 0 Socialist party
Korça district Pogradec 31 62.06% 30 (20) 1 Socialist party
Korça district Pustec 15th 43.04% 11 (6) 4th Socialist party
Qark Kukës Has 21st 22.4% 20 (5) 1 Socialist party
Qark Kukës Kukës 31 24.17% 27 (8) 4th Socialist party
Qark Kukës Tropoja 21st 31.31% 21 (7) 0 Socialist party
Lezha district Kurbin 31 54.28% 28 (11) 3 Socialist party
Lezha district Lezha 41 35.27% 30 (15) 1 Socialist party
Lezha district Mirdita 21st 24.77% 21 (5) 0 Socialist party
Qark Shkodra Fushë-Arrëz 15th 32.27% 13 (5) 2 Socialist party
Qark Shkodra Malësia e Madhe 31 34.56% 26 (11) 5 Socialist party
Qark Shkodra Puka 15th 27.66% 15 (4) 0 Partia Kristiane Democrats
Qark Shkodra Shkodra 51 75.83% 51 (40) 0 Socialist party
Qark Shkodra Vau-Deja 31 43.99% 31 (14) 0 Socialist party
Tirana County Kamza 41 87.61% 40 (36) 1 Socialist party
Tirana County Kavaja 31 94.36% 31 (29) 0 Socialist party
Tirana County Rrogozhina 21st 93.94% 21 (20) 0 Socialist party
Tirana County Tirana 61 85.82% 59 (56) 2 Socialist party
Tirana County Vora 21st 82.43% 20 (18) 1 Socialist party
Vlora County Delvina 15th 100.0% 15 (15) 0 Socialist party
Vlora County Finiq 21st 34.49% 12 (8) 9 Ethnic Greek minority for the future
Vlora County Himara 21st 63.82% 20 (14) 1 Socialist party
Vlora County Konispol 15th 100.0% 15 (15) 0 Socialist party
Vlora County Saranda 31 68.09% 27 (23) 4th Socialist party
Vlora County Selenica 21st 66.41% 21 (15) 0 Socialist party
Vlora County Vlora 51 86.65% 49 (47) 2 Socialist party

literature

  • Tobias Rüttershoff: The agony of (non-) choice. Country report on the local elections in Albania . Ed .: Konrad Adenauer Foundation. Tirana July 2019 ( read report online [PDF; accessed October 15, 2019]).

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ^ Thomas Schrapel: Local elections in the Republic of Albania. In: Konrad Adenauer Foundation . July 16, 2015, accessed April 7, 2015 (PDF).
  2. ↑ Besar Likmeta: Albania's Kafkaesque Justice Reform is Undermining Public Trust. In: Balkan Insight. March 7, 2019, accessed March 7, 2019 .
  3. ↑ a b c Christina Scheidegger: Local elections on the brink: "The greatest evil in Albania is the strong polarization". Interview with Norbert Mappes-Niediek . In: SRF . June 26, 2019, accessed June 30, 2019 .
  4. ↑ Presidenti Meta dekreton caktimin e dates Së zgjedhjeve për organet e qeverisjes vendore. In: president.al. November 5, 2018, accessed June 30, 2019 (Albanian).
  5. ↑ Article 109 of the Constitution of Albania .
  6. ↑ Benet Koleka: Albanian opposition urges snap election as protesters rally outside parliament. In: Reuters. March 5, 2019, accessed June 30, 2019 .
  7. ↑ AFP / DPA: Albania: injured in riots. In: Neue Zürcher Zeitung. April 14, 2019, accessed June 30, 2019 .
  8. ↑ Opozita bllokon rrugët në 12 qarqe. In: zeri.info. May 2, 2019, Retrieved June 30, 2019 (Albanian).
  9. ↑ No accession negotiations for the time being: The EU lets Albania and North Macedonia fidget. In: NZZ. June 18, 2019, accessed June 30, 2019 .
  10. ↑ Albania president cancels local elections amid protests. In: BBC. June 9, 2019, accessed June 30, 2019 .
  11. ↑ Presidenti Meta dekreton caktimin e dates Së zgjedhjeve për organet e qeverisjes vendore. In: president.al. June 27, 2019, Retrieved June 30, 2019 (Albanian).
  12. ↑ a b c Albania votes amid tense election boycott. In: BBC. June 30, 2019, accessed June 30, 2019 .
  13. ^ A b c Serious Irregularities Observed in Controversial Albanian Elections. In: exit.al. June 30, 2019, accessed June 30, 2019 .
  14. ↑ a b c d Tobias Rüttershoff: The agony of (non-) choice. Country report on the local elections in Albania . Ed .: Konrad Adenauer Foundation. Tirana July 2019 ( read report online [PDF; accessed October 15, 2019]).
  15. ^ Declarata e KQZ-së. Press release. In: Central Electoral Commission. July 3, 2019, Retrieved July 4, 2019 (Albanian).
  16. ↑ DP refuses to accept the turnout number announced by CEC. In: Top Channel . June 30, 2019, accessed July 4, 2019 .
  17. ^ Opposition Mayors: We will not leave our offices. We don't recognize these elections. In: Top Channel. July 3, 2019, accessed on July 4, 2019 .
  18. ↑ Meta sulmon ndërkombëtarët: Më 13 tetor, zgjedhje local, të përgjithshme dhe presidenciale. In: Top Channel. July 2, 2019, Retrieved July 4, 2019 (Albanian).
  19. ↑ Ilir Meta dy fjalë për George Soros: Jam i Races së Avni Rustemit, jo i Nikolla Gruevskit. In: Top Channel. July 2, 2019, Retrieved July 4, 2019 (Albanian).
  20. ↑ Gjykata 'rrëzon' Voltana Ademin / Valdrin Pjetri kryebashkiak në Shkodër. In: Tirana Today. July 26, 2019, Retrieved October 17, 2019 (Albanian).
  21. ↑ Mero Baze: Valdrin Pjetri's case, a curse for Edi Rama and Lulzim Basha. In: Gazeta Tema. August 15, 2019, accessed October 17, 2019 (Albanian).
  22. ↑ Dokumentet për dënimin në Itali, reagon Valdrin Pjetri: Pres vendimin e autoriteteve. In: Top Channel. August 13, 2019, accessed October 17, 2019 (Albanian).
  23. ↑ Vincent WJ van Gerven Oei: New Shkodra Municipal Council Expected to Illegally Unseat Mayor Voltana Ademi. In: Exit.al. August 19, 2019, accessed October 17, 2019 .
  24. ↑ Çfarë do të bëhet me zgjedhjet në Shkodër? Flet kryeministri Rama. In: Liberals. October 3, 2019, accessed October 17, 2019 (Albanian).
  25. ^ Press release of October 11, 2019. In: Council of Europe. October 11, 2019, accessed October 17, 2019 .
  26. ↑ a b Koalicionet dhe partitë të rregjistruara në KQZ. In: Central Electoral Commission . Retrieved June 30, 2019 (Albanian, PDF).
  27. ↑ Albania, Local Elections, June 30, 2019: Interim Report. (PDF) In: OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights. June 14, 2019, accessed June 30, 2019 .
  28. ↑ a b Result paraprake. In: Central Electoral Commission. Retrieved July 4, 2019 (Albanian).
  29. ↑ Pjesemarrja deri në orën 19:00. (PDF) In: Central Election Commission. June 30, 2019, Retrieved July 4, 2019 (Albanian).
  30. ↑ CANDIDATE FITUES PËR KËSHILL BASHKIAK. (PDF) In: Central Election Commission. Retrieved July 30, 2019 (Albanian).
  31. ↑ Zgjedhjet Vendore 2019: Shpërndarja e mandateve për këshillin. (PDF) In: Central Election Commission. Retrieved July 11, 2019 .