The National Democratic Institute is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization working to support and strengthen democratic institutions worldwide through citizen participation, openness and accountability in government.

Political polarization between Albania’s two largest parties—the Democratic Party and the Socialist Party—threatens the country’s democratic transition and EU membership prospects. Accusations of electoral fraud from the opposition Socialists following June 2009 parliamentary elections escalated in January 2011 when an opposition-led demonstration turned violent and ended with four protesters’ deaths. Entrenched polarization and unconstructive political dialogue was cited in Brussels’ decision not to award official EU membership candidacy to Albania in 2010.

A tumultuous campaign period prior to local elections in May 2011 exacerbated longstanding partisan tensions. The election process turned out to be largely peaceful, but a razor-thin margin in the key race for mayor of Tirana has reinvigorated tension.

Albania needs new, diverse voices in politics to promote constructive, multipartisan debate that produces reform policies oriented to the public interest, decreases partisan conflict and enshrines the rule of law.

NDI's Democracy Support Program

NDI promotes political leadership, citizen participation and political party reform in Albania, particularly through working with emerging women political leaders. Albania has one of the lowest levels of women’s representation in elected bodies in Europe. With funding from the National Endowment for Democracy and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, NDI has trained more than 500 women in the skills necessary to advocate for change through political engagement. Backed by party women forums which are supported by the Institute, 12 of 27 women, who ran in the May 2011 elections, won seats in municipal councils.

Women party activists, civil society leaders and journalists trained by NDI formed the Women’s Network for Equality in Decision Making (EDM) in 2008. EDM is multipartisan network through which several hundred women active in politics and civic affairs raise public awareness of the need to have more women engaged in public affairs and collaborate on community development and advocacy projects. For example, with technical support and small grants from NDI, EDM initiated a nationwide campaign in 2010 called “Healthy Women, Healthy Society” that improved health care for women through reaching out to the medical community, educating women on preventive care and advocating for more public health resources. NDI is assisting the Network as it develops the capacity to raise the profile of women in parties and public life and broadens constructive policy dialogue, ushering in a new model of leadership that emphasizes reform issues rather than partisan divisions.

• Albanian women finish political leadership school with chance to test new skills in May elections»
• Albanian women claim a voice in politics through advocacy on health care»
• Women Social Democrats of Southeastern Europe reach across borders for shared goals»
• Albanian President Topi tells women leaders to make their voices heard to strengthen nation's democracy»
• Albanian Prime Minister Berisha pledges support for more women in elective positions»

Publications

• Service and Accountability - Public Hearing Manual
• Albania’s Elections and the Challenge of Democratic Transition
• Albania's 2011 Local Elections Pre-Election Report
• Albania's 2011 Local Elections Pre-Election Report No. 2
• Albania 2007 Local Elections Activities Summary
• Best Practices for Election Monitoring, a Practical Guide, 2007
• Sunshine Budgets: Democracy and Governance in Albania, and Local Government and Decentralizatoin in Albania
• Democracy and Governance in Albania, Platformat Zgjedhore
• Preliminary Report of the Domestic Observations of Parliamentary Elections 2005
• Statement of the National Democratic Institute Pre-Election Delegation to Albania, 2005
• Statement of the National Democratic Institute International Pre-Election Delegation To Albania, Tirana, 2001
• Statement of the NDI International Pre-Election Delegation to Albania, 2000
• Statement of the NDI Pre-Election Delegation to the Albanian Parliamentary Elections, 1997
• Albanian Local Elections: October 20-27, 1996 Final Report
• Albania, NDI's Pre-Election Assessment Statement, October 1996
• Civic Education & Parliamentary Dialogue in Albania 1991-1994: A Report on Grassroots and Parliamentary Approaches to Political
• Albania: Statement by the International Pre-Election Fact-Finding Delegation, March 1992
• Albania: Statement by the International Pre-Election Fact-Finding Delegation, January 1992
• Albania: 1991 Elections to the People's Assembly: A Post-Election Report

Contact Information

For more information about these programs, use our contact form or contact:

Albania
Ana Kadovic, Resident Program Manager

Washington, D.C.
Jeff Owen, Senior Program Officer
jowen@ndi.org

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Pictured Above: The Women’s Network for Equality in Decision Making holds a public forum in the southern city of Korce on community issues ahead of May 2011 local elections.