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The Western Balkans — Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia — face ethnic divisions and other political, economic and social problems that continue to challenge stability in the wake of the violent conflicts of the 1990s. But people in the region are seeking to turn the page on a troubled past and look to democratic rule as the foundation for political stability and integration into the European Union and NATO.
Robert Benjamin, NDI's regional director for Central and Eastern Europe, recently discussed political stability in the Western Balkans at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. While Benjamin points to remaining challenges, overall he believes the region is making real progress toward peace, stability and democracy.
Albania
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.
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