Albania
Albania exhibits mid-range performance across all categories of democracy in the Global State of Democracy Indices (GSoDI), scoring in the top 25 per cent globally for Freedom of Religion and Access to Justice. Albania performs in the high range with regard to Freedom of Religion, Elected Government, Inclusive Suffrage, and Freedom of Movement. Between 2018 and 2023, the country experienced significant advances in Access to Justice, but saw notable declines in Economic Equality. It has been a candidate country for the European Union since 2014, and accession negotiations were initiated in July 2022. The Albanian economy is weakly diversified, mainly dependent on services, agriculture, and a rapidly growing tourism sector, which made Tirana’s airport the most visited in the Western Balkans in 2024. The country has experienced a significant population decline, and combined with high emigration rates, this trend is resulting in an ageing population. Albania is heavily reliant on neighbouring countries for trade and remittances. Its transition to a market economy has been characterised by corrupt privatisation efforts and state-led pyramid schemes.
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. Albania is one of the most homogeneous countries in Europe and does not exhibit any major politically salient ethnic or religious cleavages, and the country is known for religious tolerance. Instead, regional divisions between North and South are the major fault lines in Albania. There is economic disparity between the more developed South and the less developed North, as well as between rural and urban areas. Despite recent changes, people from the North tend to generally vote for the Democratic Party (PD), while voters in the South often support the Socialist Party (PS) due to the origin of the parties' leaders and the resulting clientelist ties. Allegations of ties with the communist regime are part of the usual discourse to discredit political opponents.
Politics tend to be highly personalised and polarized, fuelling partisan violence in society. Democratization was overseen by elites involved in clan politics, fostering a culture of corruption that hindered strong institutions and economic growth. However, the establishment of Albania’s Special Courts against Corruption and Organised Crime (SPAK) has recently led to investigations, arrest warrants and the questioning of high-level politicians.
In recent years, Albania has made important progress on gender equality through the development of the National Strategy for Gender Equality (2021-2030) and multiple measures. Progress is evidenced in the increased representation of women in politics, with more than half of the government ministers being women. Nevertheless, gender equality is challenged by systemic issues – gender differences in education, gender gaps in economic opportunities, and widespread gender-based violence – coupled with weaknesses in the implementation of laws. Despite ongoing discrimination against the LGBTQIA+ community, Albania made progress by becoming the third European country to ban “conversion therapy” in 2020.
Looking ahead, it will be important to watch Rule of Law, particularly Absence of Corruption, Judicial Independence and Predictable Enforcement, especially in light of the recent SPAK investigations into high-level corruption. If materialized, these structural reforms have the potential to combat entrenched corruption, paving the way for changes in other areas, such as reducing brain drain, emigration, and leading to increased trust in the government, potentially impacting Credible Elections, Civic Engagement and Electoral Participation. These reforms, along with the country’s success in tourism, could influence Basic Welfare and Economic Equality.
Last updated: June 2024
https://www.idea.int/democracytracker/
September 2024
Parliament blocks Constitutional Court’s review of MP’s mandate
On 13 September, the Albanian Parliament voted for a third time against sending the mandate of the ruling Socialist Party (SP) MP Olta Xhaçka for review in the Constitutional Court. This comes despite a ruling by the Court requiring MPs to submit Xhaçka’s mandate as a Member of Parliament for review, which could lead to Xhaçka losing her seat. The case stems from a 2022 dispute in which the opposition accused then-foreign minister and current MP Olta Xhaçka of a conflict of interest, after her husband, a former SP MP, was granted "strategic investor" status to build a hotel. The Parliament's refusal to comply with the Court's ruling has drawn criticism from the opposition, analysts, and both the EU Delegation and the U.S. Embassy, as a move that undermines the separation of powers and the rule of law, whereas MPs cited their right to vote freely. As a next step, the Parliament has sought the Venice Commission's opinion on the legislature’s obligation to implement judicial decisions. The Venice Commission is set to review the issue in December.
Sources: Balkan Insight, Tirana Times, Shqiptarja, Euronews Albania
June 2024
EU suspends agricultural funds indefinitely following serious irregularities
In July, the Agriculture Ministry informed parliament that EU pre-accession agricultural support funds were suspended indefinitely. The current suspension comes after the European Union Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) revealed that EUR 33 million from Pre-Accession Assistance for Rural Development (IPARD) II had been misused. Funds had been initially suspended in 2023, when corruption was suspected. Irregularities included manipulated tenders, inflated prices, and contractual breaches. OLAF recommended that the EU blocks EUR 112 million planned for IPARD III. In response, MP Agron Shehaj summoned Agriculture Minister Anila Denaj to parliament to address these findings. Authorities in Tirana have not provided a timeline for reopening the funds, with the Minister stating that IPARD III will resume once Albania proves it can handle EU funds responsibly. This scandal sparked controversy over the misuse of EU funds for farmers, one of the labour market's most vulnerable groups, and raised concerns about future funding prospects and the country's credibility as an EU candidate.
Sources: European Union Anti-Fraud Office, Top Channel, Balkan Insight, Tirana Times, Reporter, International IDEA
February 2024
Parliament approves controversial deal to detain migrants for Italy
On 22 February, the parliament ratified a deal between Prime Minister Edi Rama and Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, which will lead to the transfer of asylum seekers rescued at sea by Italian authorities to Italian-funded detention centers in Albania. Women, children and individuals deemed “vulnerable” will be exempt from the centers, sparking concerns about potential family separations. Experts and rights groups say the deal breaches international law, has legal ambiguities and will likely impact protection of rights. The deal was previously ruled constitutional by the Albanian Constitutional Court and was approved by the Italian Senate. Opposition MPs criticized the deal for its lack of transparency and threats to national security, while the Italian center-left opposition MPs called it a “shameful attempt” to turn Albania into Italy's version of "Guantanamo”. While the Constitutional Court said Albanian law would apply in the detention centers, Italian PM Meloni stated they would fall under Italian jurisdiction. The Council of Europe's Commissioner for Human Rights warned the deal “will likely undermine crucial human rights safeguards.”
Sources: Reporter.al, Euronews, Euronews Albania, Agenzia Nazionale Stampa Associata, Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, Verfassungsblog, International IDEA
December 2023
Parliament lifts immunity for former Prime Minister Sali Berisha
The parliament revoked former President and Prime Minister Sali Berisha’s immunity on 21 December. Berisha, who faces corruption charges from the Special Prosecutor’s Office against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK), currently leads the opposition Democratic Party. The decision received support from 75 MPs, slightly over half of the 140 assembly members, with 73 votes coming from the ruling Socialist Party group and two from Social Democrat MPs. Following this, Berisha was placed under house arrest for violating prior restrictive measures and was prohibited from traveling abroad.
Update: On 11 September 2024, former President and Prime Minister Sali Berisha was officially charged with corruption by SPAK, following months of house arrest.
Sources: International IDEA, Tirana Times, Balkan Insight (1), Balkan Insight (2), Balkan Insight (3), The Guardian, Top channel, Vizion Plus
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