Albania breaks new ground with first digital campaigning code
Representatives of Albania’s key political parties sign the Code of Conduct on Digital Campaigning on 25 March at the Central Election Commission in Tirana, Albania. Credit: International IDEA
Ahead of Albania’s 2025 general election, International IDEA supported the creation of the country’s first Code of Conduct on Digital Campaigning, developed with the Central Election Commission, the National Democratic Institute and the University of Helsinki’s Rule of Law Centre.
Signed by all major political parties, the Code introduced a voluntary framework to curb disinformation, improve transparency and promote respectful online debate. It prompted parties to appoint digital focal points, enabled civil society and
observers to monitor online violations, and elevated public debate on issues such as hate speech, political advertising and data use.
The Code marked an important step towards sustainable digital accountability. The initiative was cited in both the final report on Albania’s elections published by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe’s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights and the European Commission’s 2025 enlargement package, each acknowledging the Code as a positive development for transparency and accountability.
‘I thank the political parties that have embraced the Code of Conduct on digital campaigns and call on all those contesting the 11 May [2025 parliamentary] elections to run a fair and respectful campaign and uphold the highest ethical standards it represents.’
| Funding | Finland, co-implemented with the Rule of Law Center of Finland |
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