Albanians vote in elections seen as key test of EU path

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Tirana: Albanian residents were voting on Sunday to decide whether Prime Minister Eddie Ram is considered important for the country’s EU ambitions with his longtime rival with his long -term rival.

Once every voter put his belt, he had a deep blue inkmark on his thumbnail to avoid cheating. Voting began at 7:00 am (0500 GMT) at 5,220 polling stations in the country and was closed at 7pm.

According to the Central Election Commission (CEC), the local time at 2:00 pm, the turnout of the voters was 30.34 %. More than 2,000 domestic and international observers have been deployed to monitor the process.

The international community views the election as a test of the Balkan nation’s critical institutions after a bitter and discriminatory campaign between Ram and fellow political veteran Sali Bresha.

A smooth electoral process is especially important for Albania. The most European country in the region, however, had to wait 13 years since the official affiliation talks began in July 2022.

“We hope that Albania will become a stable and a country that will maintain all the principles and values ​​of the EU,” said Draton Spaio, who retired after the vote, said Draton Spahio. According to the CEC, preliminary results are expected within two days of the vote – ahead of a summit in Albania, the leaders of the European Union and other European countries to discuss security and economic growth.

This election faces an additional challenge, which was introduced to calculate the postal voting foreign Daspura. Low wages have brought many Albanians abroad, especially young and educated Albanians to countries like Germany and Italy abroad. According to the CEC, about 246,000 Albanians outside the country are registered to vote.

His belt sent by the registered post must be returned to his birth polling station, but the commission has reported delay in some areas. Some media reports say that address errors have been made in the shipment of ballot papers.

In proportional votes, after taking over the hostility campaign between Ram and Bresha, are eligible to choose between candidates from various political parties and three alliances. Ram, 60, has led the Socialist Party since 2005 and has been seeking a fourth straight period as Prime Minister.

A former student leader who was opposed to the Communist government, served as mayor of Tirna and Minister of Culture before taking office in 2013. His key pledge is to gain EU membership by 2030. His opponents regularly accuse him of relationships with organized crime, dismissing the allegation, saying that “if anyone proves corruption or links with criminals, he will withdraw from political life”.

Against this, 80 -year -old right winger Barisha stands after the first Communist in Albania. Albania’s Democratic Party has joined about 20 other parties in hopes of removing Ram from office. In the echoes of US President Donald Trump, Brisha has promised a “great Enbenia” based on economic recovery.

His campaign is suggested by US Republican Advisor Chris Lassvita. But the United States and the United Kingdom have termed them “personality non -Greta” for allegedly allegedly related to organized crime and corruption.

Bresha is also in a judicial inquiry on charges of “inactive corruption by a top official” in Albania. The leading parties have mainly campaigned on economic problems: pensions, wages, infrastructure and tourism.

And another change in this election is that government employees and public justice agents have joined the Central Election Commission for the first time.

The Albani judiciary has also been active during the campaign, which has launched a number of investigations that can affect the results. The Special Prosecutor’s Office against the Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAC) has revealed that 33 former senior officials, including former ministers, MPs, and local officials, are under investigation in 2024.

More than 20 officials, including former President Alier Meta, are candidates for the “Great Elbania” coalition, and the mayor of Ram’s former ally Tirana, waiting for the results in jail.

The war on organized crime and corruption is an important requirement of the integration of the European Union of Albania. To win the power for the next four years, a party or alliance will have to win a majority of 140 seats in the Albanian parliament.