Albania
Albania exhibits mid-range performance across all categories of democracy in the Global State of Democracy Framework, scoring in the top 25 per cent globally for Freedom of Religion. Between 2019 and 2024, the country experienced a notable decline in Effective Parliament, driven by reduced legislative and opposition ability to scrutinize the executive. The country opened its third EU accession negotiation cluster in May 2025. The Albanian economy is mainly driven by services, construction, remittances, agriculture and a booming tourism sector.
Albania declared independence in 1912 after nearly five centuries of Ottoman rule. After World War II, the country experienced one of the most brutal communist regimes for forty years, becoming one of the most isolated and poorest countries in the world. Following the death of dictator Enver Hoxha, Albania transitioned to democracy after 1990. Its transition to a market economy has been characterised by corrupt privatisation efforts and state-led pyramid schemes.
The country has experienced a significant population decline since 1990 due to emigration lower birth rates, resulting in an ageing population. Albania, one of the most homogeneous countries in Europe, is known for religious tolerance and does not exhibit any major politically salient ethnic or religious cleavages. Instead, regional divisions are the major fault lines. Despite recent development, economic disparities persist between the less developed North and the more developed Central and Southern regions, as well as between rural and urban areas. While the Socialist Party (PS) has recently made electoral gains in northern Democratic Party (PD) strongholds, northern voters generally still support the PD, and southern voters the PS, reflecting regional loyalties and clientelist ties.
Politics tend to be highly personalised and polarized, fuelling partisan violence in society. Organised crime, money laundering and drug trafficking are widespread, often linked to political actors. This has weakened institutions and hindered inclusive economic development and equality. However, the establishment of Albania’s Special Courts against Corruption and Organised Crime (SPAK) has recently led to investigations, arrest warrants and the seizure of assets, including of high-level politicians.
Albania performs in the mid-range in Gender Equality, with its constitution prohibiting gender-based discrimination. The representation of women in politics has increased, exceeding the 30 per cent gender quota for parliamentary elections. Nevertheless, systemic issues, including gender-based violence and inequality in education, coupled with weaknesses in institutional support, remain. Albania made progress by becoming the third European country to ban conversion therapy in 2020, but the LGBTQIA+ community experience ongoing discrimination.
Looking ahead, it will be important to watch Representation, especially Effective Parliament and Free Political Parties, given the ruling PS’s unprecedented fourth mandate and large majority in Parliament, which raise risks of power concentration. Amid recent SPAK investigations into high-level corruption, it is equally important to watch Rule of Law, especially Absence of Corruption, Judicial Independence, and Predictable Enforcement. Additionally, Economic Equality should be watched, particularly in light of tourism growth and SPAK’s efforts to fight organised crime and corruption.
Last updated: June 2025
https://www.idea.int/democracytracker/
November 2025
Parliament adopts revised Law on Gender Equality
On 7 November, Parliament adopted a revised Law on Gender Equality, replacing the 2008 framework with expanded protections against harassment, gender-based violence and anti-discrimination. In genderbased violence cases, the accused, not the victim, will now bear the burden of proof. The law requires state institutions, local government bodies and large employers to integrate gender-equality measures into their planning, budgeting and policy processes. It requires public institutions to ensure no gender holds less than 30 per cent of positions, with a long-term goal of approaching 50 per cent representation. The law supports the equality between ‘women and men in all their diversity,’ ensuring no one is excluded based on how they experience their gender. It aligns with the EU gender equality acquis and implements a recommendation of the UN CEDAW Committee. Women's rights groups hailed the law as historic, while the opposition Democratic Party and 'pro-family' groups called it an attack on traditional values. This ignited one of the largest disinformationfueled hate campaigns against the LGBTQIA+ community the country has seen.
Sources: HRRC, Balkan Insight (1), Balkan Insight (2), Parliament of Albania, Radio Televizioni Shqiptar, Ministry of Justice – Albania, United Nations Albania
October 2025
Judicial assassination exposes security failures and public mistrust in judiciary
On 7 October, during a property dispute hearing at the Tirana Court of Appeals, the defendant in the case opened fire in the courtroom, killing the presiding judge and injuring two plaintiffs. According to reports, he acted knowing the case would not be decided in his favor. The assailant, who was carrying an illegal firearm, entered the building without being searched, even after triggering the metal detector. The security guard now faces charges of abuse of office. The tragedy sparked public debate and concerns about public trust and the state of the judiciary. The European Association of Judges noted that the Albanian judiciary is under strain due to the vetting process, with members of the judiciary facing public hostility and attacks. Both President Bajram Begaj and Prime Minister Edi Rama condemned the attack, with Rama publicly calling for harsher penalties on the illegal possession of firearms.
Sources: Euronews, The Guardian, RTSH, General Prosecution Office, European Association of Judges, Replika, Periskopi
October 2025
SPAK indicts Deputy PM Balluku over alleged tender equality violations
On 31 October, the Special Structure Against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK) announced the indictment against Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Energy Belinda Balluku for the criminal offence of violating the equality of participants in public tenders, alleging that she manipulated procurement procedures related to the EUR 190 million Llogara Tunnel project (one of Albania’s largest infrastructure projects). Although Albania has investigated several high‑level political figures in recent years over alleged corruption and abuse of power (including former presidents and prime ministers), Balluku is now the highest‑ranking sitting public official in Albania under investigation.
Update: On 8 December, due to developments following the indictment of Balluku, Adriatik Lapaj, founder of the Shqipëria Bëhet movement, began a protest outside the Prime Minister’s office. Lapaj accused the government of obstructing the judiciary and pressuring the Constitutional Court after Prime Minister Edi Rama challenged the 21 November suspension of Balluku issued by the Special Court Against Corruption and Organised Crime. The Constitutional Court reinstated Balluku pending a final ruling. After protesters set up a tent and camped out in the area without permission, police intervened, triggering clashes in January. Several protesters, including Lapaj, were injured and required medical treatment.
Sources: SPAK, Raporteri, Balkan Insight, International IDEA (1), International IDEA (2), International IDEA (3), Pamfleti, Citizens, Euronews Albania (YouTube), Prapaskena
August 2025
CJEU ruling further challenges Italy-Albania asylum-seekers detention deal
On 1 August, the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) ruled that while Italy (and other EU member states) may decide which countries are ‘safe’ for the return of asylum-seekers to their countries of origin, such designations must meet strict legal standards and be open to challenge with accessible evidence. The Court added that a country cannot be deemed ‘safe’ if it fails to provide adequate protection to its entire population. This comes after months of disputes between the Italian judiciary and the Italian government, as well as the transfer of migrants from Italy to costly, mostly inactive Italian-funded asylum centers in Albania, which have turned into repatriation centers. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni denounced the ruling, saying it weakens efforts to curb mass illegal immigration. The future of these centres remains unclear. Amnesty International described the ruling as a major setback for the Italy-Albania deal, which they argue outsources asylum processing at the expense of migrant and refugee rights.
Sources: International IDEA, Court of Justice of the European Union, Amnesty International, Al Jazeera, Euronews Albania, Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung
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