The National Albanian American Council (NAAC) congratulates Mr. Edi Rama, the Socialist Party and its coalition partners on its election victory; and we congratulate the Democratic Party on the election of Mr. Lulzim Basha, Mayor of Tirana, as its newly elected Chairman. We hope that the new political dynamic in Albania will lead to better cooperation between the incoming government and the opposition so that Albania can continue its EU membership process. Leading up to the recent elections, the EU, and the US, made clear that the elections process would greatly influence their relations with Albania.

The June 23rd elections were deemed by the OSCE to be the best elections ever held in Albania, which presents a unique opportunity for politicians to end the polarization that has stalled the country’s EU progress. The Socialist Party and its coalition partners will need to work through the process to form the new government. Once formed, the new government will have the challenge to coordinate cooperation between Ministries from different political parties. Meanwhile, the Democratic Party has a new party leader for the first time since its formation, and the newly elected Chairman will need to secure the support of his party members in order to serve as a constructive opposition.

“Since the LSI Party, headed by Ilir Meta, had been a coalition partner of the previous DP led government and part of a previous SP coalition, they have an opportunity to serve as a bridge of cooperation between the government and the opposition. Further, with significant populations of Albanians living across the border of each of its neighbors, the country is poised to be a regional leader in economic development, education and cultural cross border cooperation and, as a NATO member, regional security, ” said Avni Mustafaj, NAAC Executive Director.