• Albania holds parliamentary elections with Prime Minister Edi Rama seeking an unprecedented fourth term.
• Rama's campaign has focused on EU membership promises amidst serious corruption allegations.
• Voter participation includes diaspora voting for the first time, with 3.7 million eligible voters.
• Younger generations express discontent with longstanding political figures, showing interest in new alternatives.
• The opposition remains fragmented, posing challenges for former prime minister Sali Berisha and his Democratic Party.

On May 11, Albania held parliamentary elections where Prime Minister Edi Rama, head of the Socialist Party, sought an unprecedented fourth term. His campaign primarily centered around promises of EU membership and tackling corruption within the government. This election is viewed as critical for assessing the country's democratic maturity and commitment to fighting corruption while aspiring to join the EU, according to Indiatimes and Reuters.

Rama, who has been in power since 2013, reiterated his promise of EU accession by 2030 at his final rally, emphasizing that “we will not lose a single day for Albania 2030 in the EU.” His opposition, led by Sali Berisha of the Democratic Party, is described as weakened by corruption allegations against Berisha himself and internal divisions within the party. This has further intensified criticism aimed at Rama's administration over issues of accountability and corruption, according to Reuters and Al Jazeera.

The election saw participation from approximately 3.7 million Albanian citizens, including hundreds of thousands from the diaspora who were allowed to vote by mail for the first time. Despite the optimism surrounding democratic participation, many young voters expressed disappointment, with some stating intentions to emigrate. For example, 21-year-old Arber Qazimi remarked, “I will vote for new politicians because those like Rama and Berisha have been here for three decades and they only replace themselves,” reflecting widespread discontent among younger generations, according to Al Jazeera and Reuters.

The growing presence of new political parties also illustrates a shift in the electoral landscape, as several movements rise to challenge the dominance of established parties. While early polls indicate that these new entities may not significantly influence the results, their emergence is seen as a positive move towards a more diverse political environment. Analysts emphasize that this diversification can help break the trend of centralized political control observed in Albanian governance, according to Indiatimes.