Albanians vote in election after a campaign dominated by uphill efforts to join the EU

TIRANA, Albania — Albanians voted Sunday in parliamentary elections after a boisterous campaign dominated by the country's uphill effort to join the European Union and Prime Minister Edi Rama's bid for a fourth term in office.

Polls closed at 7 p.m. Sunday and vote counting is expected to conclude within 48 hours in an election in which 140 lawmakers will be selected to four-year terms.

Because of mass emigration, the country of 2.8 million people has about 3.7 million eligible voters. For the first time, those in the diaspora — about 191,000 so far this time — could vote, casting their ballots by mail.

Rama's Socialist Party says it can deliver EU membership in five years, sticking to its ambitious pledge while battling conservative opponents with public recriminations and competing promises of pay hikes.

Opening up the election to voters abroad for the first time has added to the volatility, along with the appearance of new parties, a shift in campaigning to social media and a recent TikTok ban.

Voting was largely peaceful, with just a few skirmishes involving candidates and supporters around the country. Officials put preliminary voter turnout at 41.4%, 4% lower than it was in 2021.

''For the most part, excluding some sporadic cases, the process has been in line with the rules and standards,'' said Ilirjan Celibashi, the head of the Central Election Commission.

Black and blue baseball caps

Rama, 60, who secured the start of EU membership negotiations last October, highlighted achievements in infrastructure and justice reform in his campaign.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas is pressing Albania to continue reforms — particularly in governance and anti-corruption efforts — to stay on track for EU membership.

Rama's main challenger is Sali Berisha, 80, a former president and prime minister, who argues that Albania still isn't ready for EU membership. He started the campaign borrowing from U.S. President Donald Trump's slogan, which he changed to ''Make Albania Great Again,'' but eventually settled on ''Grandiose Albania.''

Berisha wore a blue baseball cap marked with a No. 1, the party's position on the ballot. Rama sported a black cap emblazoned with the Socialist Party's No. 5.

Berisha claimed they had won in all the traditional center-right areas, adding that counting should not take place under pressure.

''Nothing can change. People have spoken decisively," he said.

Economic and tourism pledges

Economic concerns have been central to the campaign.

The Socialists say they will accelerate a tourism boom, from 10 million arrivals in 2024 to 30 million by 2030, diversifying destinations by expanding infrastructure projects.

The Democrats argue that the government's dismal performance has driven more than 1 million Albanians to leave the county over the past decade.

After casting his ballot, Berisha called on Albanians to vote ''for themselves, for their children, their pensions and salaries, employment, business, their farm.''

Both parties made similar promises on minimum pensions, an average monthly salary and a minimum wage – all about 20% or higher than current levels.

But analyst Lutfi Dervishi considered that scenario unlikely.

''It's a campaign without debate and results without surprises,'' he said. ''Elections won't shake up the current scene — neither the system nor the main actors.''

Corruption and justice

Despite Albania's significant improvement in Transparency International's corruption index — rising from 116th in 2013 to 80th in the ranking in 2024 — corruption remains the country's Achilles' heel and a stumbling block for European integration.

Sweeping judicial reforms launched in 2016 with support from the EU and U.S. led to investigations and prosecutions of senior officials. Several former ministers, mayors and high-ranking officials have been jailed, while others face ongoing investigations.

Despite promises of cleaner governance, both major parties are fielding candidates facing corruption allegations. Berisha himself has been charged with corruption and is awaiting trial.

While Rama's Socialists take credit for the reformed judiciary, Berisha has vowed to dissolve it, describing it as a tool of the Rama government's selective justice.

TikTok and the ‘swamp owl'

Social media has become a primary vehicle for campaigning. Rama hosted daily Facebook livestreams to engage with voters. Berisha followed suit, though less frequently.

The government has imposed a 12-month ban on TikTok, citing concerns over incitement and online bullying. Opposition parties condemned the move as censorship.

A code of conduct introduced by the Albanian ombudsman to encourage ethical campaigning fell flat as political discourse grew increasingly toxic. Rama described Berisha as a ''swamp owl'' — a metaphor for graft — while Berisha branded Rama as a ''chief gangster.''

More than 570 international observers monitored this year's parliamentary election. They have planned a news conference Monday afternoon.