Formal PD Enters ‘Deep Reflection’ Phase after Crushing Defeat

The formal Democratic Party has entered a phase of internal consultations in order to produce an analysis of the main opposition’s crushing defeat in last weekend’s by-elections.  Party organs at different levels are meeting to suggest the shape the analysis should take, formal PD chairman Lulzim Basha announced on Thursday. Asked whether he is ready

Basha Abandoned by Party Leadership as Deputies Resign

Following the Democratic Party’s crushing defeat in the partial local election, Deputy Leader Grida Duma has resigned from her post on Wednesday, the third such departure in as many days. Deputy Agron Gjekmarkaj also resigned, as did Albanian writer Flutura Açka. Both were members of the PD’s steering committee. The election saw six municipalities go

Formal Democratic Party Leadership Turns against Chairman Basha

The recently appointed steering committee of the formal Democratic Party has turned against their leader, Lulzim Basha, following the party’s crushing defeat in Sunday’s by-elections. As a result, in a meeting on Monday, several committee members asked Basha to resign and open the way for new leadership elections. In December, Basha purged the PD steering

Formal Opposition Leader Downplays Defeat in Albanian By-elections

Lulzim Basha, the formal leader of the opposition Democratic Party (PD) has downplayed the group’s crushing defeat in the Sunday by-elections, while blaming the winners for the PD’s loss. “I have never lost a race in my life but I have been facing electoral massacres,” Basha told a journalist who pointed out that this was

House of Freedom Coalition Wins Shkodra

Bardh Spahia, the candidate of the House of Freedom coalition backed by Sali Berisha, will be the new mayor of Shkoder. Spahia won 43.67% of the vote, while Socialist Party’s Majlinda Angoni received 39.51%. This left the official Democratic Party (PD) with only 16.82%. The ruling Socialist Party won by a landslide in the remaining

Mayoral By-Elections 2022: Socialist Party Leads in Five Out of Six Municipalities

Counting is underway for the mayoral by-elections of March 6 and the Socialist Party (PS) candidates are leading by a landslide in five out of six municipalities. The Central Election Commission has already declared the PS candidate as the winner for the municipality of Vorë, receiving 69% of the votes. PS candidates are also leading

Albanian Parties Prepare for Sunday’s Mayoral By-Elections

On Friday, Albania’s main political parties and their respective coalitions wrapped up a month-long campaign for the mayoral by-elections that will take place on Sunday, March 6. The leaders of the country’s three major political forces were in Shkodra yesterday for a final meeting with their supporters: Prime Minister Edi Rama with the Socialist Party

Berisha’s Mayoral Candidate Poised to Win Shkoder By-Elections, Poll Shows

Voters would elect Bardh Spahia as mayor of Shkoder, the candidate supported by the “House of Freedom” (HF) coalition led by Sali Berisha. Three candidates are running in the March 6 local by-elections in Shkoder: Xhemal Bushati of the Democratic Party (PD), Majlinda Angoni of the Socialist Party (PS), and Bardh Spahia (HF). HF is

Analysis: War with Russia and What It Means for the Western Balkans

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has sent shockwaves through the world, particularly through the Western Balkans- a tinderbox of ethnic and political tensions maintained by strong ties with the US and Europe. While most countries in the region side with Ukraine and the West, Russia’s influence is potent, and its biggest local ally, Serbia, has so

Government Officials Defend Waste Incinerators in Parliament Testimonies

The parliamentary committee of inquiry on waste incinerators in Albania completed all hearings, with an unprecedented live broadcast of Prime Minister Edi Rama’s 10-hour testimony on Wednesday. Established at the request of the opposition, over its 4-month mandate, the committee inquired into the procedures that led to the approval and construction of three waste treatment

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