| Parliament name |
Albanian Parliament |
| Structure of parliament |
Unicameral |
| BACKGROUND |
| Dates of election / renewal (from/to) |
28 June 2009 |
| Timing and scope of renewal |
Elections were held for all the seats in the Parliament on the normal expiry of the members' term of office. |
On 14 January 2009, President Bamir Topi called parliamentary elections for 28 June. They were the first to be held under the new electoral system adopted in April 2009. Previously a mixed electoral system under which 100 of the 140 seats in Parliament were filled by the first past the post system, all members are now elected through a proportional representation system. The revised electoral system encourages small parties to run in coalition with bigger ones rather than on their own.
In the previous elections held in July 2005, the Democratic Party of Albania (PDA) and its allies won a total of 73 seats, while the Socialist Party of Albania (PSS) and its allies won 64. Mr. Sali Berisha, who had served as President between 1992 and 1997, became Prime Minister.
Under Mr. Berisha's premiership, the country experienced an annual economic growth of 5 per cent. However, the economy was reportedly slowing down in 2009. In April 2009, Albania joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and formally applied for membership of the European Union (EU).
Four coalitions contested the 2009 elections. The PDA of Prime Minister Berisha formed the Alliance for Change (AN), comprising ten right wing parties. They included the Republican Party (PR) and the Party for Justice and Integration (PDI). The Christian Democratic Party of Albania formed another right wing coalition, the Pole of Freedom, with three other parties. The PSS of Mr. Edi Rama, Mayor of the capital Tirana, led the Unification for Change (BPN) with five other parties. It included the Unity for Human Rights Party (PBDNJ) and the Social Democratic Party (PSD). The Socialist Movement for Integration (LSI), led by former prime minister Ilir Meta, formed the Socialist Alliance with four small parties.
Like in the 2005 election, the leading forces in 2009 were the PDA and the PSS. Both parties pledged to work towards Albania's accession to the EU, which urged the country to hold free and fair elections. The country introduced a new electronic ID card in an effort to prevent election fraud. Both parties promised to create more jobs and stimulate further economic growth. Prime Minister Berisha promised to continue to tackle crime and corruption.?
The PSS election campaign focused on personal criticism against the Prime Minister. Although PSS leader Rama had been accused of corruption while Mayor of Tirana, he pledged to lead a 'clean' government so as to improve the economic situation. The PSS promised to boost agricultural production, reduce poverty and reform the health and educational systems.
LSI leader Meta criticized the PSS for having cooperated with the PDA to pass the new electoral law to "marginalize small parties ". The LSI promised to reduce unemployment and poverty, develop agriculture, and cut the value added tax (VAT) on basic foodstuffs by half, from 20 to 10 per cent.
Two people were killed during the election campaign. However, no violent incidents were reported on polling day. 50.77 per cent of the 3 million registered voters turned out at the polls.
Over 400 international observers monitored the polls. The Organisation for Security and Co operation in Europe (OSCE) concluded that the elections had failed to meet international standards, while noting "tangible progress " since the 2005 elections.
The final results gave 68 seats to the PDA. With its allies, it controlled a total of 70 seats. The PSS won 65 seats and its ally took one. The LSI took the remaining four seats. 23 women were elected.
The PSS alleged fraud and irregularities. On 4 July, LSI leader, Mr. Meta, announced that he would join the AN led government to "avert a political crisis".
On 8 September, the newly elected Parliament held its first session. The session was boycotted by the PSS. Ms. Jozefina Topalli (PDA) was re elected as Speaker.
On 16 September, the Parliament endorsed Mr. Berisha's new government, comprising his PDA, the LSI, the PR and the PDI. |
| STATISTICS |
| Voter turnout |
| Round no 1 | 28 June 2009 |
Number of registered electors
Voters
Blank or invalid ballot papers
Valid votes |
3'084'946
1'566'079 (50.77%)
46'903
1'519'176 |
|
Notes
|
|
| Distribution of votes |
|
Round no 1
|
| Political group |
Candidates |
Votes |
|
|
% of votes |
|
|
| Democratic Party of the Albanians (PDA) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Socialist Party of Albania (PSS) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Socialist Movement for Integration (LSI) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Unity for Human Rights Party (PBDNJ) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Republican Party (PR) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Party for Justice and Integration (PDI) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Distribution of seats |
|
Round no 1
|
| Political Group |
Total of seats
|
|
|
|
|
| Democratic Party of the Albanians (PDA) |
68
|
|
|
|
|
| Socialist Party of Albania (PSS) |
65
|
|
|
|
|
| Socialist Movement for Integration (LSI) |
4
|
|
|
|
|
| Unity for Human Rights Party (PBDNJ) |
1
|
|
|
|
|
| Republican Party (PR) |
1
|
|
|
|
|
| Party for Justice and Integration (PDI) |
1
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Distribution of seats according to sex |
Men
Women
Percent of women |
117
23
16.43%
|
| Distribution of seats according to age |
|
|
|
| Distribution of seats according to profession |
|
|
|
| Comments |
Source: Permanent Mission of Albania to the United Nations office (07.08.2009, 18.09.2009)
Note on the distribution of seats according to political parties.
The Alliance for Change (AN) comprised the following parties
- Democratic Party of Albania (PDA): 68
- Republican Party (PR): 1
- Party for Justice and Integration (PDI): 1
The Unification for Change (BPN) comprised the following parties.
- Socialist Party of Albania (PSS): 65
- Unity for Human Rights Party (PBDNJ): 1
- Social Democratic Party (PSD): 0
- G99 (Group 99): 0 |
|
