Albania would benefit by opposition return to politics

Significance

The outright majority won by the Socialist Party (PS) gives Prime Minister Edi Rama a third consecutive term in office. His run of victories is unprecedented in Albania’s post-communist history, which began with multi-party elections in 1991. The elections also signalled the re-emergence of the opposition Democratic Party (PD) as a credible alternative to the PS.

Impacts

• A stronger PD could act as a restraining force on Rama’s tendency to ignore opposition to his policies.
• The position of the PD leader is under threat after his second failure to unseat Rama.
• Leadership continuity and vaccinations prioritising the tourism sector should help the economy bounce back from the 2020 recession.