2021 Albanian parliamentary election
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140 seats in the Parliament of Albania 71 seats needed for a majority | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Turnout | 46.29%  | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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This lists parties that won seats. See the complete results below.
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Parliamentary elections were held in Albania on 25 April 2021.[1] It took place during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Background
In the previous parliamentary elections in 2017,[2] the Socialist Party won a majority with 74 of the 140 seats. In second place was the Democratic Party with 43 seats.
Electoral system
The 140 members of Parliament were elected in twelve multi-member constituencies based on the twelve counties by open list using proportional representation (using a 1% national electoral threshold) with seats allocated using the d'Hondt method.[3][4] Significant changes to the electoral system were made a year before the 2021 elections by the Albanian parliament by amending several articles of the constitution. The ruling Socialist Party was accused by the united opposition, which two years earlier had left parliament and had not participated in the 2019 local elections, of violating the electoral law agreement they had previously agreed on.[5] The majority defended itself by saying that the changes were made as a request of public opinion for the opening of the lists of deputies so that each voter chooses his preference. And that with the new system, Albania introduces a system well known and implemented by some European countries, such as Croatia, Slovenia, the Netherlands or Estonia, and moving away from the old system that was unique in its kind and that is not applied elsewhere - even though a number of European countries use closed-list proportional representation.[6]
Demographic changes led to some changes in the number of seats for some constituencies; Tirana gained two seats, while Dibër and Gjirokastër both lost a seat.[7]
| # | County | Registered voters 2021 | Seats |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Berat | 184,612 | 7 |
| 2 | Dibër | 132,858 | 5 |
| 3 | Durrës | 359,832 | 14 |
| 4 | Elbasan | 349,144 | 14 |
| 5 | Fier | 405,955 | 16 |
| 6 | Gjirokastër | 124,224 | 4 |
| 7 | Korçë | 286,166 | 11 |
| 8 | Kukës | 83,808 | 3 |
| 9 | Lezhë | 168,975 | 7 |
| 10 | Shkodër | 273,801 | 11 |
| 11 | Tirana | 911,573 | 36 |
| 12 | Vlorë | 319,744 | 12 |
| Source: KQZ.gov.al (List of voters) | |||
Contesting parties
A total of 46 political parties, of which 5 parties are running for the first time, are registered with the Central Election Commission.[8] In the elections of April 25, 2021, voters will have the opportunity to choose between 12 electoral subjects, of which 3 are coalitions, while in some constituencies five independent candidates also participate.[9] The largest opposition party, the PD, formed the Partia Demokratike – Aleanca për Ndryshim (PD-AN) coalition by joining forces with twelve smaller parties. The LSI, also in opposition, formed a coalition of its own called Shqipëria – Shtëpia Fituese (ShQF). While the ruling party PS, decided to run in the elections alone but with the inclusion of some candidates of other allied parties.
| Name | Abbr. | Ideology | Political position | Leader | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Social Democratic Party | PSD | Social democracy | Centre-left | Tom Doshi | |
| National Front Party | PBK | Albanian nationalism | Far-right | Adriatik Alimadhi | |
| Albanian Democratic Movement Party | PLDSH | Liberal conservatism | Centre-right | Myslim Murrizi | |
| Democratic Conviction | BD | Liberal conservatism | Centre-right | Astrit Patozi | |
| People's Union Alliance Coalition | ABEOK | Liberal conservatism | Kujtim Gjuzi | ||
| Socialist Movement for Integration | LSI | Social democracy | Centre-left | Monika Kryemadhi | |
| Nisma Thurje | NTH | Anti-corruption | Centre | Endrit Shabani | |
| New Movement Party | LRE | Arian Galdini | |||
| Democratic Party – Alliance for Change | PD–AN | Liberal conservatism | Centre-right | Lulzim Basha | |
| New Democracy Alliance Party | ADR | Edmond Stojku | |||
| Movement for Change | LN | Liberal conservatism | Centre-right | Jozefina Topalli | |
| Socialist Party of Albania | PS | Social democracy | Centre-left to left-wing | Edi Rama | |
Also, five independent candidates are participating in the elections as Elton Debreshi in Dibër County, Pal Shkambi in Shkodër County and three who are supported by the Vetëvendosje as Boiken Abazi in Tirana County, Iljaz Shehu in Lezhë County and Kreshnik Merxhani in Gjirokastër County.[9]
Opinion polls
Nationwide
| Pollster | Date | Sample | PS | PD | LSI | PDIU | PSD | Other parties | Lead |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Piepoli + Report TV | 24–27 November 2020 | 500 | 53 – 59% | 30 – 34% | 2 – 4% | 1 – 3% | – | 5 – 7% | +20% |
| MRB + Euronews Albania | 22 December 2020 – 13 January 2021 | 1.600 | 41.8% | 28.2% | 10.3% | 1.5% | – | 2.1% | 13.6% |
| NOTO Sondaggi + Ora News | 10 January – 19 January | 2.000 | 42 – 46% | 33 – 37% | 9 – 13% | 1 – 3% | – | 6 – 10% | +5% |
| Flame Tree Advisors + Syri TV | 8 January – 22 January | 1.000 | 38.2% | 33.6% | 10.7% | 2.5% | – | 2.8% | 4.6% |
| Piepoli + Report TV | 19 January – 22 January | 900 | 48 – 52% | 31 – 35% | 4 – 8% | 2 – 4% | – | 1 – 9% | +13% |
| MRB + Euronews Albania | 25 January – 12 February | 1.600 | 39.9% | 30.6% | 9.1% | 1.6% | – | 1.8% | 9.3% |
| IPSOS + Top Channel | 10 February – 16 February | 1.527 | 49.5% | 39.3% | 5.1% | 0.2% | 0.8% | 5% | 12.2% |
| Piepoli + Report TV | 18 February | 800 | 47 – 51% | 33 – 37% | 4 – 8% | 2 – 4% | – | 2 – 12% | +10% |
| Flame Tree Advisors + Syri TV | 1 February – 20 February | 1.000 | 38.5% – 40.1% | 33.9% – 36.8% | 8.9% – 9.2% | 2.2% – 2.5% | – | 1.5% – 4.6% | +1.7% |
| NOTO Sondaggi + Ora News | 23 February | 2.000 | 41 – 45% | 34 – 38% | 8 – 12% | 1 – 3% | – | 7 – 11% | +3% |
| GeoCartography + T7&GE | 24 February – 8 March | 3.778 | 45.25% | 42.55% | 8.8% | – | – | 3.54% | 2.7% |
| MRB + Euronews Albania | 25 February – 9 March | 1.600 | 41.3% | 30.8% | 7.6% | 1.3% | – | 1.1% | 10.5% |
| IPSOS + Top Channel | 3 March – 9 March | 1.519 | 48.7% | 40.6% | 4.6% | – | 0.9% | 5.1% | 8.1% |
| Piepoli + Report TV | 17 March | 1000 | 47 – 51% | 37 – 41% | 4 – 8% | – | 0 – 2% | 1 – 10% | +6% |
| Flame Tree Advisors + Syri TV | 12 March – 18 March | 1.000 | 38.9% | 38.5% | 9.2% | – | – | 1.4% | 0.4% |
| NOTO Sondaggi + Ora News | 12 March – 22 March | 2.000 | 44.5 – 48.5% | 41 – 45% | 6 – 10% | – | 0 – 2% | 0 – 2% | +1% |
| Piepoli + Report TV | 23 March – 28 March | 1000 | 47 – 51% | 38 – 42% | 4 – 8% | – | 0 – 2% | 0 – 8% | +5% |
| MRB + Euronews Albania | 17 March – 31 March | 2.500 | 43% | 35.4% | 5.2% | – | – | 3.8% | 7.6% |
| IPSOS + Top Channel | 29 March – 31 March | 1.513 | 48.4% | 39.3% | 5% | – | 1.7% | 5.5% | 9.1% |
| NOTO Sondaggi + Ora News | 6 April | 2.000 | 44 – 48% | 42 – 46% | 6 – 10% | – | 0 – 1% | 0 – 3% | +1% |
| Smith Research & Consulting | 27 March – 9 April | 1.000 | 42.5% | 44.7% | 11.3% | – | – | 1.5% | 2.2% |
| MRB + Euronews Albania | 1 April – 15 April | 2.700 | 43% | 36.8% | 5.8% | – | – | 3% | 6.2% |
| NOTO Sondaggi + Ora News | 16 April – 19 April | 2.000 | 43.5 – 47.5% | 42.5 – 46.5% | 4 – 7.5% | – | 0 – 2% | 1 – 5% | +1% |
| Flame Tree Advisors + Syri TV | 19 April | 1.000 | 42.1% | 47.1% | 9.4% | – | – | 1.3% | 5% |
| IPSOS + Top Channel | 18 April – 20 April | 1.029 | 48.1% | 43.6% | 3.6% | – | 0.8% | 3.4% | 4.5% |
| Smith Research & Consulting | 23 April | 1.000 | 42.4% | 46.1% | 10.4% | – | – | 1.1% | 3,7% |
Results
The first exit-poll, from Euronews, suggested the victory of the Socialist Party tightly, projecting the 46% of the votes to Rama's candidacy, while the Democratic Party the 42%.[10] On 27 April, Rama claimed "the most beautiful victory" and thanking "for trusting me to lead a third term".[10]
On 28 April, 10 members of the Democratic Party's leadership called for Lulzim Basha's resignation as leader, alleging "The loss of the elections of 25 April 2021 by the Democratic Party has its responsibilities and first of all the chairman Lulzim Basha! He, among other things, has extinguished the democratic dream of hundreds of thousands of Albanians, losing two pairs of general elections, delivering the central government, the local government and the opposition in the hands of Edi Rama. Therefore, we demand the immediate and irrevocable resignation of the chairman of the Democratic Party, Lulzim Basha, the secretary general and the vice-chairmen."[11] That same day, the candidate for the Social Movement for Integration Monika Kryemadhi congratulated "the oligarchs and the gangs, [because they are] the real winners" and apologized for the wrong electoral strategy, while accusing that vote buying took place in Durrës, Korçë and Berat.[12]
| Party | Votes | % | Seats | +/– | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Socialist Party of Albania | 768,134 | 48.67 | 74 | 0 | |
| Democratic Party – Alliance for Change | 622,187 | 39.43 | 59 | +13 | |
| Socialist Movement for Integration | 107,538 | 6.81 | 4 | –15 | |
| Social Democratic Party of Albania | 35,475 | 2.25 | 3 | +2 | |
| Nisma Thurje | 10,217 | 0.65 | 0 | New | |
| Democratic Conviction | 8,239 | 0.52 | 0 | New | |
| Movement for Change | 7,054 | 0.45 | 0 | New | |
| Albanian Democratic Movement Party | 4,705 | 0.30 | 0 | New | |
| New Movement Party | 3,767 | 0.24 | 0 | New | |
| New Democracy Alliance Party | 3,232 | 0.20 | 0 | New | |
| Albanian National Front Party | 1,946 | 0.12 | 0 | New | |
| People's Union Alliance Coalition | 1,376 | 0.09 | 0 | New | |
| Independents | 4,247 | 0.27 | 0 | New | |
| Total | 1,578,117 | 100.00 | 140 | 0 | |
| Valid votes | 1,578,117 | 95.00 | |||
| Invalid/blank votes | 83,059 | 5.00 | |||
| Total votes | 1,661,176 | 100.00 | |||
| Registered voters/turnout | 3,588,869 | 46.29 | |||
| Source: KQZ | |||||
MPs
| PS (52.9%) Berat County |
PD-AN (42.1%) Berat County |
LSI (2.9%) Fier County |
PSD (2.1%) Shkodër County |
| Notes: | |||
Notes
References
- ^ "Zgjedhjet parlamentare në Shqipëri do të mbahen më 25 prill 2021". trt.net.tr (in Turkish). 7 September 2020. Archived from the original on 22 October 2020. Retrieved 8 November 2020.
- ^ "Presidenti Nishani e dekreton: 25 qershori data e zgjedhjeve parlamentare". gsh.al (in Albanian). 21 May 2017. Archived from the original on 13 November 2020. Retrieved 9 November 2020.
- ^ "Broshurë Informative: mbi proceset zgjedhore Parlamentare dhe Lokale në Shqipëri, mbi partitë politike, legjislacionin, rekomandimet e OSBE/ODIHR (1991-2020)" [Information Booklet on Parliamentary and Local Electoral Processes in Albania, on Political Parties, Legislation, OSCE / ODIHR Recommendations (1991-2020)] (PDF). Instituti i Studimeve Politike (in Albanian). 2020. Archived (PDF) from the original on 1 February 2021.
- ^ "Explaining Albania: Electoral Code Changes Approved in Parliament, Here's What will Happen". Exit - Explaining Albania. 5 October 2020. Archived from the original on 1 February 2021. Retrieved 22 January 2021.
- ^ "Albanian Opposition Vows Not to Recognize Unilateral Changes Made to Constitution". Exit - Explaining Albania. 30 July 2020. Archived from the original on 21 October 2020. Retrieved 22 January 2021.
- ^ "Kodi Zgjedhor, Rama: Nesër votohet në Parlament, PS-ja ka qenë shërbëtore e përulur". Gazeta Mapo. 4 October 2020. Archived from the original on 14 March 2021. Retrieved 22 January 2021.
- ^ Harta e re elektorale, një mandat më pak Kukësit, Korçës e Beratit Archived 8 February 2017 at the Wayback Machine Shqiptarja, 3 December 2016
- ^ "Regjistri i partive politike të regjistruara në KQZ për Zgjedhjet për Kuvend të datës 25 Prill 2021" (PDF). Central Election Commission. May 2021. Archived (PDF) from the original on 18 April 2021.
- ^ a b "25 Prilli, 12 subjekte politike dhe 5 kandidatë të pavarur janë pjesë e garës". Gazeta Koha Jone. 18 March 2021. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
- ^ a b Semini, Llazar (25 April 2021). "Exit polls: Tight race in Albania's parliamentary vote". Association Press.
- ^ "10 anëtarë të kryesisë i kërkojnë Bashës dorëheqjen". Televizioni Klan. 28 April 2021.
- ^ "Kryemadhi i kërkon falje Metës: Djegia e mandateve, strategji e gabuar për zgjedhjet". Televizioni Klan. 28 April 2021.
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|---|---|
| Local elections | |
| Referendums | |
