Albanian General Elections (2025)

On 11 May 2025, elections were held in the Republic of Albania to determine the new members of its 140-seat unicameral parliament (Kuvendi i Shqipërisë). This marked the 11th multi-party general election since Albania transitioned to a multi-party system in 1991. According to unofficial results with nearly all votes counted, the Socialist Party (PS), led by incumbent Prime Minister Edi Rama, won the elections, granting Rama the opportunity to serve as Prime Minister for a fourth consecutive term.

_{Graphical representation of unofficial results of the 2025 Albanian elections, 13 May 2025 – Anadolu Agency}

Albanian parliamentary elections are based on a multi-member constituency system following the principle of proportional representation. The country is divided into 12 electoral districts, with the number of seats in each district determined by population. Reforms to the electoral system were introduced through legal amendments in July 2024 and February 2025. Under these changes, party candidate lists were established as both open and closed. Each party retained the right to assign a specific number of candidates through a centralized ranking, while other candidates competed based on individual votes.

The total number of registered voters in the 2025 Albanian general elections was announced as 3,713,897, of whom 246,000 were registered as overseas voters. Voting took place on 11 May 2025, with polling stations opening at 07:00 local time and closing at 19:00. Voting was conducted primarily through physical ballot boxes; electronic voting was piloted only in Vorë and the 10th district. Vote counting was carried out manually in all regions.

This election was the first general election in which Albanian citizens living abroad were permitted to vote. Legal reforms granted diaspora voters the right to cast ballots by mail. Ballot papers were sent in advance to overseas voters, who were required to deliver them to the Central Election Commission no later than 19:00 on 11 May 2025. Diaspora votes were included in the overall national tally.

A total of 2,046 candidates competed in the elections. Of these, 61% were male and 39% were female. Candidates ran under 11 different political coalitions or party lists.

^{Edi Rama voting in the 2025 Albanian general elections, 11 May 2025 – Anadolu Agency}

The Socialist Party (Partia Socialiste – PS), under the leadership of Edi Rama, participated in the elections. The main opposition coalition, “Aleanca për Shqipërinë Madhështore” (Greater Albania Alliance), was formed by the Democratic Party (PD) and the Liria Party.

Other parties participating in the elections included the Social Democratic Party, the Common Movement Party (Levizja Bashke), the Opportunity Party (Partia Mundesia), the Euro-Atlantic Coalition, the Albania Is Becoming Initiative (Nisma Shqipëria Behet), the New Democracy Alliance, and the Homeland Movement (Levizja Atdheu).

The campaign period for the 2025 general elections was set at 30 days. The campaign began on 11 April 2025 and ended 24 hours before the election, at 07:00 on 10 May 2025.

Edi Rama, General Secretary of the ruling Socialist Party and Prime Minister, focused his campaign on the promise of an “European passport,” asserting that Albania would become a full member of the European Union by 2030. Rama launched his campaign with meetings held in various regions alongside female party members.

Sali Berisha, General Secretary of the Democratic Party and leader of the opposition, participated in the elections under the banner of the “Aleanca për Shqipërinë Madhështore” (Greater Albania Alliance) alongside the Liria Party. During his campaign, Berisha emphasized the need for Albania to become a “stronger country again,” using the slogan “Make Albania Great Again.”

Ilir Meta, General Secretary of the Liria Party and former President of Albania, did not participate in the campaign. During the election period, Meta remained in prison due to a corruption case related to his tenure as Deputy Prime Minister.

Following the general elections held on 11 May 2025, a new government was formed in Albania 130 days later. The government led by Edi Rama, General Secretary of the Socialist Party (PS) and incumbent Prime Minister, won a vote of confidence in the 140-seat Albanian Parliament with 82 “yes” votes. Opposition MPs did not attend the session.

_{Session of the 140-seat Albanian Parliament to vote on the new government led by Edi Rama, General Secretary of the Socialist Party of Albania, 18 September 2025 – (Anadolu Agency)}

During the session, Prime Minister Rama requested that a video message from Diella, a virtual minister created by artificial intelligence, be shown in parliament. This prompted opposition protests, with Democratic Party MPs declaring the practice unconstitutional.

Rama, in his speech, characterized the new era as the country’s greatest challenge and stated that the government’s primary objective is “to achieve Albania’s membership in the European Union by 2030.”

_{Session of the 140-seat Albanian Parliament held on 18 September 2025 to vote on the new government led by Edi Rama, Chairman of the Socialist Party of Albania (PS) – (Anadolu Agency)}

The cabinet approved by Parliament includes the following members:

Minister of Artificial Intelligence: Diella

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Energy: Belinda Balluku

Minister of Internal Affairs: Albana Koçiu

Minister of European and Foreign Affairs: Elisa Spiropali

Minister of Finance: Petrit Malaj

Minister of Economy and Innovation: Delina Ibrahimaj

Minister of Education: Mirela Kumbaro Furxhi

Minister of Justice: Besfort Lamallari

Minister of Defense: Pirro Vengu

Minister of Health and Social Welfare: Evis Sala

Minister of Tourism Culture and Sports: Blendi Gonxhja

Minister of Environment: Sofjan Jaupaj

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: Andis Salla

Minister of Public Administration and Anti-Corruption: Adea Pirdeni

Minister of Local Government: Ervin Demo

Minister of Parliamentary Relations: Toni Gogu

Chief Negotiator for the European Union and Minister of State: Majlinda Duka

In a video message, Virtual Minister Diella stated that the government would facilitate operations and continue to serve the public directly. The official commencement of the new cabinet followed the swearing-in ceremony held at the Presidency. With this development, Edi Rama has assumed the office of Prime Minister for the fourth time.