2023 Albanian Local Elections

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| <- 2019 | 14 May 2023 | 2027 ->

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Local elections were held on 14 May 2023 in Albania.[1] Mayors and municipal council seats were being elected in each of Albania's 61 municipalities.

## Background[edit]

The 2019 Albanian local elections were boycotted, leading to the Socialists running uncontested in 31 municipalities. Only Shkodër and Finiq were won by opposition candidates, with all other mayors being candidates of the Socialist Party.[2] According to official figures, turnout in 2019 was 22.97% or 812,249 people.[3] The opposition stated that, according to their calculations, only 534,528 people took part, which means that the turnout was 15.12%.[4][5][6] The elections were declared as a "farce" by opposition leader Lulzim Basha at the time.[7]

Sali Berisha and Ilir Meta officially met on 26 October 2022 to plan for the upcoming elections.[8][9] Both Meta and Berisha planned to have primaries in order to select joint candidates for each municipality, while the Socialist Party planned to run alone without any electoral alliance.[10] However, since the Democratic Party was split between Enkelejd Alibeaj and Sali Berisha, it was uncertain who would carry the name of the party on the ballot.[11] Belind Këlliçi announced he would be challenging Erion Veliaj in Tirana as Berisha's candidate,[12] while Alibeaj did not announce a candidate in Tirana.

On 25 January 2023, Berisha's agreement with Vangjel Dule was revealed. According to the agreement, the PBDNJ would run their candidates in Finiq, Dropull and Himarë.[13] By the end of January, it was still not clear whether the PS would run alone or with a coalition.[14] Edi Rama stated that his party had selected a candidate for every region besides Vlorë and Durrës.[15]

Ilirjan Celibashi, the head of the Central Election Commission, stated that neither Enkelejd Alibeaj nor Sali Berisha were allowed to register their candidates as the Democratic party of Albania before the deadline was on 7 March, meaning that the PD would not be allowed to run in the upcoming local elections.[16]

In February 2023, controversy formed around the alleged connections between prime minister Edi Rama and Charles McGonigal, who was believed to be connected with Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska, and was also separately indicted for allegedly accepting payments from former Albanian intelligence agent Agron Neza.[17][18][19][20]

On 3 March 2023, the Democratic Party of Albania was given to Enkelejd Alibeaj.[21][22] Originally, the Tirana Courts had originally accepted Sali Berisha's appeal.[23] However, on 11 March 2023, Alibeaj was not allowed to register the Democratic Party with the CEC, allegedly for lack of proper documentation. In fact, it appeared that Lulzim Basha was still the leader of the party, even though Basha had declared his resignation in March 2022. However, Basha had never finalized his resignation in any written source. Alibeaj announced he would appeal against the decision of the CEC.[24]

Berisha's candidates were not allowed to register as the Democratic Party, but instead under the list of Ilir Meta's party. On 15 March 2023, Berisha and Meta announced that their coalition would be called Bashkë Fitojmë ("Together we win"). It would consist of the PBDNJ, the Freedom Party of Albania, Demochristian Party, and the majority of the PD.[25] Several Alibeaj's candidates would ultimately resign or endorse Berisha's candidates.[26][27][28][29]

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## By-elections of March 2022[edit]

After the results of the 2019 elections, by-elections were announced on March 6, 2022, as at the time there was no elected mayor in Vorë, Dibër, Shkodër, Lushnjë, Rrogozhine and Durrës. Several candidates that had been elected in June 2019 had not taken office either due to their death, or they had been arrested on corruption charges.[30][31]

Between the 2019 elections and the March 2022 by-elections, Sali Berisha had been expelled from the PD by the party's leadership. However, he had previously personally conducted a party congress in which participants had deposed the party leadership of Lulzim Basha.[32][33]

In the partial elections of the aforementioned six municipalities, a candidate from the Democratic Party and a Berisha candidate ran alongside a candidate from the Socialist Party. The Berisha loyalist candidates ran under the coalition name Shtëpia e Lirisë ("House of Freedom").[34][35] In all communities, House of Freedom candidates received significantly more votes than the official PD representatives. Berisha's candidate managed to win in Shkodër, while the rest of the municipalities were won by the Socialist Party.[36]

In the three voting stations of Bruçaj, Ndrejaj and Palaj, small villages in the northern mountains of Albania, elections were not held due to bad weather from heavy snowfall causing power cuts.[37]

Results from the partial election[38] Districts  | Turnout  | Winner  | Political party  | PS  | PD  | SHeL

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Vorë | 41.04%  | Blerim Shera  | Socialist Party  | 69.39%  | 6.29%  | 24.33%
Dibër | 41.99%  | Rahim Spahiu  | Socialist Party  | 60.82%  | 19.28%  | 19.46%
Lushnjë | 35.88%  | Eriselda Sefa  | Socialist Party  | 58.80%  | 10.43%  | 30.77%
Shkodër | 28.05%  | Bardh Spahia | House of Freedom  | 39.51%  | 16.82%  | 43.67%
Durrës | 26.57%  | Emiriano Sako  | Socialist Party  | 58.47%  | 11.85%  | 29.68%
Rrogozhinë | 28.45%  | Edison Memolla  | Socialist Party  | 60.73%  | 21.96%  | 17.31%

## Parties and coalitions[edit]

Number  | Party  | Acronym  | Chairman  | Coalition

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1  | Together We Win Coalition[a] | BF  | Sali Berisha and Ilir Meta | Bashkë Fitojmë
2  | Socialist Party of Albania | PS  | Edi Rama | Aleanca për Shqipërinë Europiane
3  | Environmentalist Agrarian Party | PAA  | Agron Duka  | –
4  | Republican Party of Albania | PRSH  | Fatmir Mediu | –
5  | Legality Movement Party | PLL  | Shpetim Axhami  | –
6  | Social Democracy Party of Albania | PDS  | Paskal Milo | –
7  | Right Liberal Alliance[b] | ALD  | Artur Roshi  | Aleanca Liberale e Djathë
8  | Social Democratic Party of Albania | PSD  | Tom Doshi | –
9  | Democratic Party of Albania | PD  | Enkelejd Alibeaj | –
10  | Movement for National Development | LZHK  | Dashamir Shehi  | –
11  | New Democratic Spirit | FRD  | Sali Shehu  | –
12  | Party for Justice, Integration and Unity | PDIU  | Shpëtim Idrizi | –
13  | Party of Europeanisation and Integration of Albania  | PEISH  | Rivelino Çuno  | –
14  | Democratic Alliance | AD  | Eduard Abazi  | –
15  | Democratic Conviction | BD  | Astrit Patozi | –
16  | Party for the Protection of the Rights of Immigrants of Albania  | PMDE  | Ymer Kurti  | –
17  | National Arbnore Alliance  | AAK  | Gjet Ndoj  | –
18  | National Front Party | PBK  | Adriatik Alimadhi  | –
19  | Party Alliance for Democracy and Solidarity  | ADS  | Gaqo Apostoli  | –
20  | Albanian Labor Movement  | PLPSH  | Genci Sakaj  | –
21  | Left Front  | FM  | Marko Dajti  | –
22  | Party of Albanian National Unity  | PUK  | Idajet Beqiri  | –
23  | Green Party of Albania | PGJ  | Edlir Petanaj  | –
24  | Conservative Party  | KONS  | Bashkim Murati  | –
25  | New Movement Party  | LRE  | Arian Galdini  | –
26  | Alliance for Equality and European Justice | ABDE  | Valentino Mustaka  | –
27  | National Conservative Party of Albania  | PKKA  | Kujtim Gjuzi  | –
28  | Party Defending the Rights of Albanian Workers  | PMDPSH  | Kadri Isufaj  | –
29  | Macedonian Alliance for European Integration | AMIE  | Vasil Sterjovski  | Aleanca për Shqipërinë Europiane
30  | Albanian Emigration Party  | PESh  | Kostaq Papa  | –
31  | Albanian Democratic Reforms Party  | PRDSh  | Krenar Rryci  | –
32  | Communist Party of Albania | PKSH  | Qemal Cicollari  | –
33  | Albanian Time Party  | POSH  | Zef Shtjefni  | –
34  | Christian Democratic Party of Albania | PKD  | Dhimiter Muslia  | –
35  | Hashtag Initiative | NTH  | Endrit Shabani  | –
36  | Together Movement | BASHKË  | Arlind Qori | –
37  | Greek Ethnic Minority for the Future  | MEGA  | Kristo Kiço  | –
38  | Christian Democratic Alliance of Albania  | ADK  | Zef Bushati | –
39  | Albanian Demochristian League  | LDK  | Mhil Gecaj  | –
40  | Albanian Future Party  | PASH  | Emin Subashi  | –

## Polls[edit]

Tirana

Pollster  | Date  | PS | BF | PD | LB  | Dont know  | Abstention  | Lead

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EuroNews Albania | 8 May 2023  | 44.9 | 18.6  | 6.4  | 1.1  | 20.2  | 7.1  | 26.3
EuroNews Albania | 14 April 2023  | 42.1 | 28.7  | 1.4  | 0.8  | 20.2  | 6.6  | 13.4
EuroNews Albania | 17 March 2023  | 45.8 | 23.8  | \-  | \-  | 21.9  | 8.5  | 22
EuroNews Albania | February 2023  | 45.6 | 21  | \-  | \-  | 24.4  | 9  | 24.6

## Mayoral results[edit]

Every mayor participated, including prior ones from 2022. The results are as follows:[39]

County  | City  | Mayor  | Party  | Alliance

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|
|

Berat | Berat | Ervin Demo  | Socialist Party | Aleanca për Shqipërinë Europiane
Kuçova | Kreshnik Hajdari  | Socialist Party | Aleanca për Shqipërinë Europiane
Poliçan | Adriatik Zotkaj  | Socialist Party | Aleanca për Shqipërinë Europiane
Skrapar | Adriatik Mema  | Socialist Party | Aleanca për Shqipërinë Europiane
Dimal | Juliana Memaj  | Socialist Party | Aleanca për Shqipërinë Europiane
Dibër | Bulqizë | Festime Mjeshtri  | Socialist Party | Aleanca për Shqipërinë Europiane
Dibër | Rrahim Spahiu  | Socialist Party | Aleanca për Shqipërinë Europiane
Klos | Valbona Kola  | Socialist Party | Aleanca për Shqipërinë Europiane
Mat | Agron Malaj  | Socialist Party | Aleanca për Shqipërinë Europiane
Durrës | Durrës | Emiriana Sako  | Socialist Party | Aleanca për Shqipërinë Europiane
Krujë | Artur Bushi  | Socialist Party | Aleanca për Shqipërinë Europiane
Shijak | Elton Arbana  | Socialist Party | Aleanca për Shqipërinë Europiane
Elbasan | Belsh | Arif Tafani  | Socialist Party | Aleanca për Shqipërinë Europiane
Cërrik | Andis Salla  | Socialist Party | Aleanca për Shqipërinë Europiane
Elbasan | Gledian Llatja  | Socialist Party | Aleanca për Shqipërinë Europiane
Gramsh | Besion Ajazi  | Socialist Party | Aleanca për Shqipërinë Europiane
Librazhd | Mariglen Disha  | Socialist Party | Aleanca për Shqipërinë Europiane
Peqin | Bukurosh Maçi  | Socialist Party | Aleanca për Shqipërinë Europiane
Përrenjas | Nuri Belba  | Socialist Party | Aleanca për Shqipërinë Europiane
Fier | Divjakë | Josif Gorrea  | Socialist Party | Aleanca për Shqipërinë Europiane
Fier | Armando Subashi  | Socialist Party | Aleanca për Shqipërinë Europiane
Lushnjë | Eriselda Sefa  | Socialist Party | Aleanca për Shqipërinë Europiane
Mallakastër | Qerim Ismailaj  | Socialist Party | Aleanca për Shqipërinë Europiane
Patos | Fatjon Duro  | Socialist Party | Aleanca për Shqipërinë Europiane
Roskovec | Majlinda Bufi  | Socialist Party | Aleanca për Shqipërinë Europiane
Gjirokastër | Dropull | Dhimitraq Toli  | Socialist Party | Aleanca për Shqipërinë Europiane
Gjirokastër | Flamur Golemi  | Socialist Party | Aleanca për Shqipërinë Europiane
Këlcyra | Kelmet Ndoni  | Socialist Party | Aleanca për Shqipërinë Europiane
Libohovë | Leonard Hide  | Socialist Party | Aleanca për Shqipërinë Europiane
Memaliaj | Albert Malaj  | Together We Win | Bashkë Fitojmë
Përmet | Alma Hoxha  | Socialist Party | Aleanca për Shqipërinë Europiane
Tepelena | Termet Peçi  | Socialist Party | Aleanca për Shqipërinë Europiane
Korçë | Devoll | Eduard Duro  | Socialist Party | Aleanca për Shqipërinë Europiane
Kolonja | Erion Isaj  | Socialist Party | Aleanca për Shqipërinë Europiane
Korça | Sotiraq Filo  | Socialist Party | Aleanca për Shqipërinë Europiane
Maliq | Gezim Topçiu  | Socialist Party | Aleanca për Shqipërinë Europiane
Pogradec | Ilir Xhakolli  | Socialist Party | Aleanca për Shqipërinë Europiane
Pustec | Pali Kolefeski  | Socialist Party | Aleanca për Shqipërinë Europiane
Kukës | Has | Miftar Dauti  | Together We Win | Bashkë Fitojmë
Kukës | Safet Gjici  | Socialist Party | Aleanca për Shqipërinë Europiane
Tropojë | Rexhe Byberi  | Socialist Party | Aleanca për Shqipërinë Europiane
Lezhë | Kurbin | Majlinda Cara  | Socialist Party | Aleanca për Shqipërinë Europiane
Lezhë | Pjerin Ndreu  | Socialist Party | Aleanca për Shqipërinë Europiane
Mirditë | Albert Mëlyshi  | Together We Win | Bashkë Fitojmë
Shkodër | Fushë-Arrëz | Hilë Curri  | Together We Win | Bashkë Fitojmë
Malësia e Madhe | Tonin Marinaj  | Socialist Party | Aleanca për Shqipërinë Europiane
Pukë | Rrok Dodaj  | Together We Win | Bashkë Fitojmë
Shkodër | Benet Beci  | Socialist Party | Aleanca për Shqipërinë Europiane
Vau i Dejës | Kristian Shkreli  | Socialist Party | Aleanca për Shqipërinë Europiane
Tirana | Kamëz | Rakip Suli  | Socialist Party | Aleanca për Shqipërinë Europiane
Kavajë | Fisnik Qosja  | Together We Win | Bashkë Fitojmë
Rrogozhinë | Edison Memolla  | Socialist Party | Aleanca për Shqipërinë Europiane
Tirana | Erion Veliaj | Socialist Party | Aleanca për Shqipërinë Europiane
Vorë | Blerim Shera  | Socialist Party | Aleanca për Shqipërinë Europiane
Vlorë | Delvinë | Besmir Veli  | Socialist Party | Aleanca për Shqipërinë Europiane
Finiq | Romeo Çakuli  | Greek Ethnic Minority for the Future  | –
Himarë | Dhionisios Alfred Beleri[c] | Together We Win | Bashkë Fitojmë
Konispol | Ergest Duli  | Socialist Party | Aleanca për Shqipërinë Europiane
Sarandë | Oltian Çaçi  | Socialist Party | Aleanca për Shqipërinë Europiane
Selenicë | Nertil Bellaj  | Socialist Party | Aleanca për Shqipërinë Europiane
Vlorë | Ermal Dredha  | Socialist Party | Aleanca për Shqipërinë Europiane

## Mayoral results of follow-up by-elections[edit]

Results from the partial election[40] Date  | Districts  | Turnout  | Winner  | Political party  | PS  | BF

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23 Jul  | Rrogozhinë | 36.15%  | Edison Memolla  | Socialist Party  | 57.58%  | 42.42%
24 Sep  | Kukës | 45.29%  | Albert Halilaj  | Socialist Party  | 63.67%  | 36.33%
TBA  | Himarë | TBA  | TBA  | TBA  | TBA  | TBA

## Municipal council results[edit]

All council seats were being elected.

County  | Municipality  | Council Seats  | Vote Share BF

(Together we Win)

| Vote Share PS

(Socialist Party)

| Vote Share PD

(Democratic Party)

| Other parties and independent candidates  | Largest party

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Berat | Berat | 31  | 7  | 20  | 3  | 1  | PS
Dimal | 21  | 3  | 11  | 4  | 3  | PS
Kuçova | 31  | 8  | 18  | 3  | 2  | PS
Poliçan | 15  | 1  | 13  | 1  | 0  | PS
Skrapar | 15  | 5  | 8  | 0  | 2  | PS
Dibër | Bulqizë | 21  | 3  | 9  | 1  | 8  | PS
Dibër | 31  | 5  | 13  | 1  | 12  | PS
Klos | 21  | 2  | 6  | 1  | 12  | PS
Mat | 21  | 2  | 9  | 2  | 8  | PS
Durrës | Durrës | 51  | 13  | 28  | 5  | 5  | PS
Krujë | 31  | 5  | 11  | 2  | 13  | PS
Shijak | 21  | 4  | 12  | 2  | 3  | PS
Elbasan | Belsh | 21  | 2  | 10  | 3  | 6  | PS
Cërrik | 21  | 3  | 11  | 2  | 5  | PS
Elbasan | 51  | 12  | 28  | 7  | 4  | PS
Gramsh | 21  | 2  | 6  | 1  | 12  | PS
Librazhd | 21  | 3  | 13  | 1  | 4  | PS
Peqin | 21  | 4  | 9  | 3  | 5  | PS
Përrenjas | 21  | 3  | 9  | 2  | 7  | PS
Fier | Divjakë | 31  | 5  | 18  | 4  | 4  | PS
Fier | 51  | 7  | 33  | 4  | 7  | PS
Lushnjë | 41  | 7  | 24  | 4  | 6  | PS
Mallakastër | 21  | 2  | 9  | 3  | 7  | PS
Patos | 21  | 3  | 16  | 1  | 1  | PS
Roskovec | 21  | 7  | 12  | 0  | 2  | PS
Gjirokastër | Dropull | 21  | 3  | 15  | 0  | 3  | PS
Gjirokastër | 31  | 5  | 21  | 2  | 3  | PS
Këlcyra | 15  | 1  | 3  | 1  | 10  | PS
Libohovë | 15  | 5  | 8  | 2  | 0  | PS
Memaliaj | 15  | 3  | 7  | 2  | 3  | PS
Përmet | 15  | 1  | 9  | 1  | 4  | PS
Tepelena | 15  | 1  | 11  | 1  | 2  | PS
Korçë | Devoll | 21  | 4  | 9  | 2  | 6  | PS
Kolonja | 15  | 2  | 10  | 0  | 3  | PS
Korça | 41  | 9  | 23  | 2  | 7  | PS
Maliq | 31  | 6  | 20  | 2  | 3  | PS
Pogradec | 31  | 5  | 19  | 2  | 5  | PS
Pustec | 15  | 4  | 5  | 0  | 6  | PS
Kukës | Has | 21  | 3  | 4  | 1  | 13  | PS
Kukës | 31  | 4  | 4  | 1  | 22  | PS
Tropojë | 21  | 4  | 4  | 0  | 13  | PS
Lezhë | Kurbin | 31  | 6  | 9  | 1  | 15  | PS
Lezhë | 41  | 6  | 9  | 2  | 24  | PS
Mirditë | 21  | 2  | 4  | 2  | 13  | PS
Shkodër | Fushë-Arrëz | 15  | 1  | 2  | 1  | 11  | PSD
Malësia e Madhe | 31  | 3  | 6  | 3  | 19  | PSD
Pukë | 15  | 1  | 2  | 1  | 11  | PSD
Shkodër | 51  | 13  | 18  | 5  | 15  | PS
Vau i Dejës | 31  | 7  | 7  | 3  | 14  | PSD
Tirana | Kamëz | 41  | 11  | 19  | 3  | 8  | PS
Kavajë | 31  | 9  | 13  | 3  | 6  | PS
Rrogozhinë | 21  | 4  | 9  | 3  | 5  | PS
Tirana | 61  | 15  | 34  | 4  | 8  | PS
Vorë | 21  | 4  | 13  | 0  | 4  | PS
Vlorë | Delvinë | 15  | 3  | 8  | 1  | 3  | PS
Finiq | 21  | 5  | 7  | 2  | 7  | PS
Himarë | 21  | 7  | 9  | 1  | 4  | PS
Konispol | 15  | 3  | 7  | 1  | 4  | PS
Sarandë | 31  | 4  | 12  | 3  | 12  | PS
Selenicë | 21  | 1  | 8  | 2  | 10  | PS
Vlorë | 51  | 9  | 33  | 3  | 6  | PS

Full results by party/coalition:

Party/Coalition  | Leader  | Votes  | Percentage of Votes  | Seats

|
|
|
|

Socialist Party of Albania | Edi Rama | 579,614  | 43.11%  | 758
Together We Win[d] | Sali Berisha | 247,880  | 18.44%  | 292
Democratic Party of Albania | Enkelejd Alibea | 103,719  | 7.71%  | 123
Social Democratic Party of Albania | Tom Doshi | 86,281  | 6.42%  | 116
Environmentalist Agrarian Party of Albania | Agron Duka  | 44,047  | 3.28%  | 52
Albanian Republican Party | Fatmir Mediu | 32,070  | 2.39%  | 34
Party for Justice, Integration and Unity | Shpëtim Idrizi | 28,977  | 2.16%  | 25
Legality Movement Party | Shpetim Axhami  | 23,683  | 1.76%  | 21
Green Party of Albania | Edlir Petanaj  | 16,326  | 1.21%  | 20
Progressive Alliance [e] | Dashamir Shehi  | 22,906  | 1.70%  | 19
Social Democracy Party | Paskal Milo | 21,798  | 1.62%  | 18
National Arbnore Alliance  | Gjet Ndoj  | 11,680  | 0.87%  | 18
New Democratic Spirit | Sali Shehu  | 18,458  | 1.37%  | 17
Coalition “Right Liberal Alliance” [f] | Artur Roshi  | 16,858  | 1.25%  | 13
Democratic Alliance of Albania | Eduard Abazi  | 6,129  | 0.46%  | 10
Albanian Future Party  | Emin Subashi  | 6,963  | 0.52%  | 8
Christian Democratic Party | Dhimiter Muslia  | 6,211  | 0.46%  | 8
Greek Ethnic Minority for the Future Party  | Kristo Kiço  | 2,275  | 0.17%  | 8
Independent candidates  | –  | 7,165  | 0.53%  | 7
Hashtag Initiative | Endrit Shabani  | 10,804  | 0.80%  | 5
National Front Party | Adriatik Alimadhi  | 7,611  | 0.57%  | 5
Christian Democratic Alliance of Albania  | Zef Bushati | 6,373  | 0.47%  | 5
Party Alliance for Democracy and Solidarity  | Gaqo Apostoli  | 4,647  | 0.35%  | 5
National Unity Party | Idajet Beqiri  | 5,592  | 0.42%  | 4
Democratic Conviction | Astrit Patozi | 4,226  | 0.31%  | 4
National Conservative Party of Albania  | Kujtim Gjuzi  | 1,881  | 0.14%  | 4
Macedonian Alliance for European Integration | Vasil Sterjovski  | 439  | 0.03%  | 3
Party of Albanian Democratic Reforms | Skender Halili  | 1,383  | 0.1%  | 2
Albanian Labour Movement  | Genci Sakaj  | 546  | 0.04%  | 2
Together Movement | Arlind Qori  | 7,539  | 0.56%  | 1
Conservative Party  | Bashkim Murati  | 2,767  | 0.21%  | 1
Alliance for Equality and European Justice | Valentino Mustaka  | 1,125  | 0.08%  | 1
New Movement  | Arian Galdini  | 966  | 0.07%  | 1
Communist Party of Albania | Qemal Cicollari  | 914  | 0.07%  | 1
Party for the Defence of the Rights of the Emigrants  | Ymer Kurti  | 886  | 0.07%  | 1
Left Front  | Marko Dajti  | 270  | 0.02%  | 1

## Reactions[edit]

Edi Rama and the PS was able to keep control on a majority of municipalities and thanked voters for entrusting him. However, the opposition claimed election misconduct, stating that they were not allowed to count ballots in every district. Berisha and other members of the opposition argued it was unfair to have given the opposition an odd amount of vote counters. Together We Win was only allowed to count ballots in 50% of the country.[41] Vote buying was the biggest accusation from the opposition.[42][43] Workers of every municipality had shown up on election day waiting outside every polling station.[44]

Opposition groups also claimed that in the three districts that did use an electronic voting system, Vorë, Kamëz, and Elbasan, there were failures in the electronic identification system.[45][46][47] Some workers also claimed that they voted for an opposition candidate, only for their vote to show up for the Socialist candidate.[48] The CEC has argued that this is not possible. Several political groups of the opposition argued the electronic voting system violated the election codes.[49][50]

On 16 June 2023, the elected mayor for Kukës, Safet Gjici, resigned following a leaked sex tape in the municipal office.[51] He was caught with a female worker giving him oral sex. He resigned effective immediately, which caused a by-election to be held.

The Council of Europe stated that the elections were "well-administered, lacked women as candidates and in administration, and lacked focus on local issues"[52]

On 5 March 2024, mayor-elect of Himara Alfred Beleri, who had been arrested on 12 May 2023, two days before the election, was sentenced to two years in prison for alleged vote buying.[53] The previous mayor, Jorgo Goro, continued to serve his term in the meantime, as Beleri was not allowed to complete his oath to be sworn in as mayor.

On 23 March 2024, Jorgo Goro was himself arrested by SPAK for corruption.[54][55]

## Notes[edit]

1. ^ Coalition led by Berisha-led PD faction, PL, PBDNJ, PDK
2. ^ Coalition led by Artur Roshi which consists of PBKD, BLD, PBD
3. ^ As indicated on the KQZ website
4. ^ Coalition led by Berisha-led PD faction, PL, PBDNJ, PDK
5. ^ Coalition led by Dashamir Shehi
6. ^ Coalition led by Artur Roshi which consists of PBKD, BLD, PBD

## References[edit]

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