Albania's democratic transition has significantly advanced in the past decade. The country has established functioning institutions and a multiparty system, and has steadily improved the legislative framework of elections. Albania joined NATO in April 2009 and has formally applied for European Union membership. Parliamentary elections in 2009 saw the re-election of the center-right Democratic Party, which was joined in government by the center-left Socialist Movement for Integration. The main opposition Socialist Party alleged fraud affected the election outcome and has boycotted parliament. With political tensions increasing, Albanians of all political stripes need to make their political system more transparent, accountable, and participatory so that socioeconomic reforms are not put at risk.
NDI's Democracy Support Program
NDI is promoting citizen political participation, election monitoring, and the development of Albania's political parties and emerging political leaders. In a program funded by USAID, NDI helped to lay a foundation for democratic reform by introducing election public opinion research, democratizing internal party selection of candidates and leaders, and, with partners IREX and Partners for Democratic Change, supporting the development of a journalists’ union and the advancement of nonpartisan election observation.
- Albania: Citizen Attitudes About Economic and Political Issues, Key Findings of an April 2005 Public Opinion Survey»
- From Monologue into Dialogue, Survey on Creation of Community Platforms in Albania»
- Civic Forum Albania Citizen Group Opinion Survey, Tirana-Durres-Kavaj»
From its Tirana office, NDI supports hundreds of government officials, elected representatives, and civic activists in the capital and in municipalities throughout the country.
Women’s Political Participation
Women are a key group of new political actors, serving as the engine for democratic reform and a bridge between civil society and governing institutions. With National Endowment for Democracy support, NDI has trained more than 500 women in the skills necessary to advocate for change and to enter politics to sustain change. NDI prepared women to run for parliament in 2009 under a loose gender quota mandating 30 percent women candidates on party lists. While women’s representation in parliament rose from ten to 23 of 140 members, Albania has one of the lowest levels of women elected officials in Europe. Twenty NDI participants ran for parliamentary office; one managed to be elected. Municipal elections in early 2011 hold an important opportunity to expand the number of women officeholders.
- 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»
Women party activists, civil society leaders, and journalists trained by NDI formed a new non-governmental organization – Equality in Decision Making – in 2008. NDI is assisting this network of women as they establish management and communication structures, and develop the capacity to raise the profile of women in parties and public life, and broaden constructive policy dialogue. In 2008, the network first raised a national voice for women in successfully advocating for the inclusion of the gender quota in the new electoral law.
- NDI hosts roundtable on gender politics in the Western Balkans»
- Women Social Democrats of Southeastern Europe reach across borders for shared goals»
Publications
- Service and Accountability - Public Hearing Manual
- 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
Sasha Pajevic, Resident Senior Program Manager
+355 4 230 009
Washington, D.C.
Natalie Hill, Program Officer
(202) 728-5480
Subscribe to updates about Albania
Pictured Above: NDI partner Equality in Decision Making holds a reproductive healthcare forum with women in the northern town of Peshkopia, among their many grassroots initiatives to promote women's participation in politics and public affairs.
