Albania voted on May 11, 2025 – but there were no free or democratic elections.

We, the undersigned, members of Albanian diaspora living in European Union member countries, United Kingdom, United States of America and Switzerland hereby present this petition to the institutions of the European Union to denounce the systemic and coordinated manipulation of the electoral process in Albania.

 
1.  Systematic persecution of the opposition
The leader of the largest opposition party, Mr. Sali Berisha, was placed under house arrest for nearly a year without any charges filed by the prosecutor’s office.
Unjustified violence was used during the arrest of Mr. Ilir Meta, former President of Albania and current leader of the second opposition party.
Whenever elections are held in Albania, a criminal investigation is reopened against the chairman of the Republican Party, Mr. Fatmir Mediu, the third opposition force.
 
2.   Governmental violations before the elections
In clear violation of electoral law, the Albanian government adopted measures such as:

Erasing administrative fines and interests up to €200 million, and granting a €100 bonus to 760,000 pensioners – a population that represents nearly 48% of the electorate.
Issuing licenses for cannabis cultivation across 30,000 hectares of land – although the legal limit is only 200 hectares.
Mobilizing a network of patronage agents (civil servants, local administrators) to pressure or entice our family members living in Albania to secure 5 diaspora votes each, in exchange for employment promises.
--> In multiple regions (Durrës, Elbasan, Fier, Vlorë, Shkodër, Vorë), drug cartels and criminal organizations supported 28 candidates of the ruling Socialist Party. These cartels represent a real threat to European security.

 
3.   A rigged and corrupted voting process
Opposition MPs and supporters were threatened, with no reaction from the judiciary or law enforcement.
The diaspora vote was heavily manipulated, with results of up to 92% in favor of the Socialist Party in certain districts – figures unthinkable in any true democracy.
The vote was bought with funds from endemic corruption. For instance, we call on Prime Minister Edi Rama to explain how €130 million were paid for waste incineration plants that do not physically exist.
According to Eurostat, 1,099,000 Albanians emigrated to the EU between 2014 and 2023.

 
🇪🇺 This is an appeal to the European Commission,  European Parlament,  European Council. With full respect for your interest in Albania’s EU accession, we firmly believe that this journey must go through free and fair elections.
The unchecked influence of criminal groups and cartels in Albania now represents a clear threat to European stability.
We believe that increased international attention to these developments would significantly support the European aspirations of Albanians – wherever they may live.

Peticion - Zgjedhje të padhershme në Shqipëri (ALB)​

Petition - Keine freien Wahlen in Albanien (DE)​

Petition – Unfair Elections in Albania (EN)​

Pétition – Élections non libres en Albanie (FR)​

Αίτημα - Μη ελεύθερες εκλογές στην Αλβανία (GR)​

Petizione - Elezioni non libere in Albania (IT)