section_path: Abstract
section_name: Abstract
paragraph_text: Parliamentary elections were held in Albania on 11 May 2025 to elect the 140 members of Parliament. They resulted in a fourth consecutive victory for the ruling Socialist Party (PS) led by Prime Minister Edi Rama, which increased its majority in parliament, with a promise of attaining European Union membership for Albania by 2030.
  
  The elections took place against a backdrop of scandals during the party's previous term, including the arrest of Tirana mayor Erion Veliaj, Kukës mayor Safet Gjici, the incinerator scandal, and the 5D Affair. Opposition leader and leader of the Democratic Party Sali Berisha accused PS of pressure, fraud and vote-buying following the elections. Other allegations included vote buying through financial incentives and public sector jobs, misuse of state resources, and a patronage system in which PS activists monitored voters near polling stations.
  
  OSCE 's observation mission had a mixed reaction, saying the elections were competitive and well-run but lacked a level playing field including self-censorship by journalists, and a confrontational and polarizing campaign, with the two main political parties using divisive language and attempting to unduly influence voters. The elections were marked by widespread misuse of public resources and institutional power by the ruling party PS, while numerous reports of pressure on public employees and other voters as well as cases of intimidation were of concern.
  
  The elections also marked the first time that Albanian citizens living abroad were allowed to vote.