2021 Albanian parliamentary election

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2021 Albanian parliamentary election
Flag of Albania.svg
  2017 25 April 2021 Next  

140 seats in the Parliament of Albania
71 seats needed for a majority
Turnout46.29% Decrease2.svg
PartyLeader%Seats+/–
PS Edi Rama 48.67740
PD–AN [lower-alpha 1] Lulzim Basha 39.4359+13
LSI Monika Kryemadhi 6.814−15
PSD Tom Doshi 2.253+2
This lists parties that won seats. See the complete results below.
Zgjedhjet e pergjithshme 2021 (harta qarqeve).svg
Largest political party by county.
Prime Minister beforePrime Minister after
Edi Rama
PS
Edi Rama
PS

Parliamentary elections were held in Albania on 25 April 2021. [1] It took place during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Contents

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]

#CountyRegistered voters 2021Seats
1 Berat 184,6127
2 Dibër 132,8585
3 Durrës 359,83214
4 Elbasan 349,14414
5 Fier 405,95516
6 Gjirokastër 124,2244
7 Korçë 286,16611
8 Kukës 83,8083
9 Lezhë 168,9757
10 Shkodër 273,80111
11 Tirana 911,57336
12 Vlorë 319,74412
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.

NameAbbr.IdeologyPolitical positionLeader
Social Democratic Party PSD Social democracy Centre-left Tom Doshi
National Front Party PBK Albanian nationalism Far-right Adriatik Alimadhi
Albanian Democratic Movement PartyPLDSH Liberal conservatism Centre-right Myslim Murrizi
Democratic Conviction BD Liberal conservatism Centre-right Astrit Patozi
People's Union Alliance CoalitionABEOK 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 PartyLREArian Galdini
Democratic Party – Alliance for Change PD–AN Liberal conservatism Centre-right Lulzim Basha
New Democracy Alliance PartyADREdmond Stojku
Movement for ChangeLN 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

PollsterDateSample PS PD LSI PDIU PSD Other partiesLead
Piepoli + Report TV 24–27 November 202050053 – 59%30 – 34%2 – 4%1 – 3%5 – 7%+20%
MRB + Euronews Albania 22 December 2020 – 13 January 20211.60041.8%28.2%10.3%1.5%2.1%13.6%
NOTO Sondaggi + Ora News 10 January – 19 January2.00042 – 46%33 – 37%9 – 13%1 – 3%6 – 10%+5%
Flame Tree Advisors + Syri TV 8 January – 22 January1.00038.2%33.6%10.7%2.5%2.8%4.6%
Piepoli + Report TV 19 January – 22 January90048 – 52%31 – 35%4 – 8%2 – 4%1 – 9%+13%
MRB + Euronews Albania 25 January – 12 February1.60039.9%30.6%9.1%1.6%1.8%9.3%
IPSOS + Top Channel 10 February – 16 February1.52749.5%39.3%5.1%0.2%0.8%5%12.2%
Piepoli + Report TV 18 February80047 – 51%33 – 37%4 – 8%2 – 4%2 – 12%+10%
Flame Tree Advisors + Syri TV 1 February – 20 February1.00038.5% – 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 February2.00041 – 45%34 – 38%8 – 12%1 – 3%7 – 11%+3%
GeoCartography + T7&GE 24 February – 8 March3.77845.25%42.55%8.8%3.54%2.7%
MRB + Euronews Albania 25 February – 9 March1.60041.3%30.8%7.6%1.3%1.1%10.5%
IPSOS + Top Channel 3 March – 9 March1.51948.7%40.6%4.6%0.9%5.1%8.1%
Piepoli + Report TV 17 March100047 – 51%37 – 41%4 – 8%0 – 2%1 – 10%+6%
Flame Tree Advisors + Syri TV 12 March – 18 March1.00038.9%38.5%9.2%1.4%0.4%
NOTO Sondaggi + Ora News 12 March – 22 March2.00044.5 – 48.5%41 – 45%6 – 10%0 – 2%0 – 2%+1%
Piepoli + Report TV 23 March – 28 March100047 – 51%38 – 42%4 – 8%0 – 2%0 – 8%+5%
MRB + Euronews Albania 17 March – 31 March2.50043%35.4%5.2%3.8%7.6%
IPSOS + Top Channel 29 March – 31 March1.51348.4%39.3%5%1.7%5.5%9.1%
NOTO Sondaggi + Ora News 6 April2.00044 – 48%42 – 46%6 – 10%0 – 1%0 – 3%+1%
Smith Research & Consulting 27 March – 9 April1.00042.5%44.7%11.3%1.5%2.2%
MRB + Euronews Albania 1 April – 15 April2.70043%36.8%5.8%3%6.2%
NOTO Sondaggi + Ora News 16 April – 19 April2.00043.5 – 47.5%42.5 – 46.5%4 – 7.5%0 – 2%1 – 5%+1%
Flame Tree Advisors + Syri TV 19 April1.00042.1%47.1%9.4%1.3%5%
IPSOS + Top Channel 18 April – 20 April1.02948.1%43.6%3.6%0.8%3.4%4.5%
Smith Research & Consulting 23 April1.00042.4%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]

3
74
4
59
PartyVotes%Seats+/–
Socialist Party of Albania 768,13448.67740
Democratic Party – Alliance for Change 622,18739.4359+13
Socialist Movement for Integration 107,5386.814–15
Social Democratic Party of Albania 35,4752.253+2
Nisma Thurje 10,2170.650New
Democratic Conviction 8,2390.520New
Movement for Change7,0540.450New
Albanian Democratic Movement Party4,7050.300New
New Movement Party3,7670.240New
New Democracy Alliance Party3,2320.200New
Albanian National Front Party 1,9460.120New
People's Union Alliance Coalition1,3760.090New
Independents4,2470.270New
Total1,578,117100.001400
Valid votes1,578,11795.00
Invalid/blank votes83,0595.00
Total votes1,661,176100.00
Registered voters/turnout3,588,86946.29
Source: KQZ

MPs

 PS (52.9%) 

Berat County
Blendi Klosi
Bardhyl Kollçaku
Hatixhe Konomi
Nasip Naço
Fadil Nasufi
Dibër County
Lavdrim Krrashi
Aurora Mara
Durrës County
Jurgis Çyrbja
Milva Ekonomi
Lefter Koka
Ilir Ndraxhi
Edi Rama
Rrahman Rraja
Klodiana Spahiu
Alban Xhelili
Elbasan County
Besion Ajazi
Taulant Balla
Luan Duzha
Saimir Hasalla
Evis Kushi
Florenc Spaho
Dasantila Tahiraj
Klevis Xhoxhi
Fier County
Ismet Beqiraj
Erion Braçe
Lindita Buxheli
Bujar Çela
Antoneta Dhima
Petro Koçi
Tatiana Piro
Gramoz Ruçi
Baftjar Zeqaj
Gjirokastër County
Bledar Çuçi
Laert Duraj
Mirela Kumbaro
Korçë County
Blerina Gjylameti
Niko Peleshi
Ilirian Pendavinji
Ilir Topi
Olta Xhaçka
Enslemvera Zake
Kukës County
Gerta Duraku
Lezhë County
Shpresa Marnoj
Eduard Ndreca
Lindita Nikolla
Shkodër County
Benet Beci
Edona Bilali
Paulin Sterkaj
Tiranë County
Arben Ahmetaj
Belinda Balluku
Alqi Bllako
Luljeta Bozo
Klotilda Bushka
Najada Çomo
Etilda Gjonaj
Toni Gogu
Ogerta Manastirliu
Ulsi Manja
Arben Pëllumbi
Orlando Rakipi
Xhemal Qefalia
Eduard Shalsi
Elisa Spiropali
Ermonela Valikaj
Etjen Xhafaj
Fatmir Xhafaj
Vlorë County
Anila Denaj
Damian Gjiknuri
Niko Kuri
Ilir Metaj
Teuta Ramaj
Pranvera Resulaj
Vullnet Sinaj
Anduel Tahiraj

 PD-AN (42.1%) 

Berat County
Kasëm Mahmutaj
Tomor Alizoti
Dibër County
Kreshnik Çollaku
Xhelal Mziu
Dhurata Tyli (Çupi)
Durrës County
Merita Bakiu
Oerd Bylykbashi
Agron Duka (PAA)
Edi Paloka
Andia Ulliri (PLL)
Ferdinand Xhaferaj
Elbasan County
Flutura Açka
Gazment Bardhi
Luçiano Boçi
Lefter Gështenja
Zheni Gjergji
Dashnor Sula
Fier County
Enkelejd Alibeaj
Nustret Avdulla (PDIU)
Luan Baçi
Eralda Bano (Tase) (PR)
Ilda Dhori
Saimir Korreshi
Gjirokastër County
Tritan Shehu
Korçë County
Seladin Jakupllari
Sorina Koti
Bledjon Nallbati
Ervin Salianji
Edmond Spaho
Kukës County
Isuf Çelaj
Flamur Hoxha
Lezhë County
Agron Gjekmarkaj
Mark Marku
Lindita Metaliaj (PR)
Kastriot Piroli
Shkodër County
Greta Bardeli
Helidon Bushati
Zef Hila
Emilja Koliqi
Ramadan Likaj
Tiranë County
Lulzim Basha
Sali Berisha
Mesila Doda (PDIU)
Vangjel Dule (PBDNJ)
Grida Duma
Shpëtim Idrizi (PDIU)
Belind Këlliçi
Fatmir Mediu (PR)
Flamur Noka
Orjola Pampuri
Petrit Doda (PLL)
Agron Shehaj
Dashamir Shehi (LZhK)
Jorida Tabaku
Albana Vokshi
Vlorë County
Arbi Agalliu
Bujar Leskaj
Fation Veizaj
Ina Zhupa

 LSI (2.9%) 

Fier County
Monika Kryemadhi
Shkodër County
Agron Çela
Tiranë County
Erisa Xhixho
Petrit Vasili

 PSD (2.1%) 

Shkodër County
Gledis Çeliku
Meri Markiçi
Tiranë County
Gertjan Deda

Notes:

Notes

  1. Alliance led by PD. The other members are PDIU, PR, PAA, LZHK, PDK, FRD, PBKD, PBDNJ, BLD, PBD, PLL, PKD

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